BOOST: Bathurst Regional Council’s Darren Sturgiss at the section of the pedestrian bridge at Mount Panorama where the new lift will be installed. Photo: PHILL MURRAY 083112pdarren
TENDERS have closed for the design and installation of a passenger elevator at Mount Panorama, to be used by people with a disability.
It will be a complex project but the lift should be operational in time for the 2013 Bathurst 1000.
Bathurst Regional Council technical services manager Darren Sturgiss said the lift would be built on the Harris Park side of the pedestrian bridge over the track.
He said if a person with a disability was outside the track, there was currently no way for them to get inside the circuit to the corporate boxes or the pit complex.
The money has been made available through a multi-million dollar federal government grant.
Minister for Regional Australia Simon Crean announced the $3 million boost for Mount Panorama during a visit to Bathurst earlier this year.
Council will match the federal government’s contribution in order to complete its $6.07 million Mount Panorama Infrastructure Project.
The project will also include resurfacing the 6.2-kilometre circuit and constructing a 2.5-metre safety fence along pit straight and other areas of the track.
Once operational, the lift will be manned and only accessible to those with a disability.
Mr Sturgiss says intensive modifications will need to be carried out on the bridge structure to include the new lift.
The project will cost around $450,000.
Although it was raised as an issue some time ago, the cost of the project has been prohibitive.
“It will take three to four months to build, but will definitely be a worthwhile project for those with a disability once it has been completed,” Mr Sturgiss said.
