ORANGE could have a motorsport precinct at its gateway drawing visitors from across Australia if a vision put forward by the Canobolas Motorcycle Club becomes a reality.
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The club is petitioning Orange City Council to back its proposal to take over the former harness racing club grounds in Perc Griffith Way with club member Chip Howitt describing the facility as "out of this world" in its suitability for his club's needs.
Mr Howitt explained that since its inception in the 1950s, the Canobolas Motorcycle Club had run its meetings on private land but that meant it could not apply for any type of government assistance.
He said an initial inspection of the former Highlands Paceway, and its close proximity to the Orange karting track and club, made it a logical place for the club to call home but he added the input of former international rider and fellow clubmember Peter Gower, and Cowra Motorcross inspector John Langfield, escalated the vision.
"They took one look at the track and said this is out of this world for motorcycling," Mr Howitt said.
"Plus it's got the grandstands and it's got a clubhouse and it's got the toilets ... it's not as if we're putting a crummy old shipping container and hayshed out there."
Mr Howitt said a sticking point for the club, which has around 160 active members, was the council-owned land had been identified in Orange City Council's draft Local Housing Strategy plan, which lays out Orange's land stocks for its growth to 2050.
However Orange City Council Chief Executive Officer David Waddell said that while that document, which has been described a living document, was on exhibition, anything was possible.
"During the exhibition, Chip and the guys will put together their masterplan for their future and then we'll see what we can do in terms of housing around that without having a major conflict," Mr Waddell said, adding that council had put the parcel of land in the housing strategy to "sound people out".
"They've [the CMC] have expansion plans. The trotting track is a recreation area so the more people we get seeking to use it, then it will stay as a recreation area," Mr Waddell suggested.
"At the old trotting rack we've had equestrian people come to us and say can we use it ... while we're on exhibition we're open to all approaches."
Mr Howitt said his club looked forward to working with the Orange Kart Racing Club to expand the area's operations and provide facilities not only to racing but for training and teaching purposes.
Canobolas Motorcycling Club is affiliated with Motorcycling Australia and its circuits, even though on private land, are licensed and kept up to standard.
"If this is done properly it can be an asset for the city. It's on the gateway to the city. It can be an asset that brings huge benefit to the town."
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