Casey to issue sound check

By Jim Mynard
THE City of Casey will pay for a noise attenuation study on land in the Shire of Cardinia earmarked for a motor sports facility.
Mayfield Ward councillor Kevin Bradford successfully asked for the payment and that council officers discuss the choice of consultant to do the work with proprietor of the land Wayne Maslen.
Cr Bradford asked that the action be taken urgently.
He told the 15 November council meeting that the council had already set aside $10,000 to match a similar amount set aside by the Shire of Cardinia to search for a site for motor bike riding.
Strathard Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford warned that the money was being earmarked for a private enterprise venture.
However, Cr Bradford said the money set aside to find land for recreational motorbike riding was not spent and could legitimately be used for the study.
The land is situated at the corner of Deep Creek and the Pakenham-Kooweerup Road and opposition has been received from neighbouring residents.
Mr Maslen came into open conflict with Cardinia Council when he lodged an application for a permit to develop the facility.
He refused to provide further information that the council requested and because of this the council did not make a decision.
The applicant then took the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
A hearing date has been set for early next year.
The Casey Cardinia Regional Motorsports Facility Working Party has supported the proposal.
Cr Bradford said the only thing likely to cause VCAT to refuse Mr Maslen’s application was that it did not comply with minimum noise levels.
“VCAT will require the study. This is the last chance we have to get a motor sports facility for the region,” he said.
“We have the money available to pay for the study and this facility could be extremely valuable.”
Araluen Ward councillor Rob Wilson said motorbike riding was a legitimate recreational sport for young people and that the site at Pakenham was the last chance available to establish a facility in the region.
Cr Wreford argued that council money should not be used to support a private business.
Cr Bradford said the proposal was commercial, but the applicant had agreed to also make land available for community-based motor sports.
In answer to Cr Wreford’s persistent questioning, Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said Mr Maslen had applied for a permit to establish a similar facility in Casey.
“He was asked to supply further information, but was unable to do so,” he said.
“I believe a similar situation has arisen with Mr Maslen in Cardinia.”
Cr Wreford: Will Cardinia put money toward this?
“I am worried about a precedent being set because we would be funding a private operation in another municipality without supporting evidence from that council.”
Cr Bradford said one of the problems was that the Casey Cardinia Regional Motorsports Facility Working Party was now defunct, but Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said it was in recess only because it had nothing to decide.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said providing the money was an unusual procedure, but he would support the motion.
Myuna Ward councillor Brian Oates said the Pakenham land appeared to be the only option to provide people with a motor sports facility.