PLANS for Swan Hill’s drag strip will progress after council voted up a motion for a lease-agreement with the Skid City consortium.
The decision means consortium members can now begin negotiations with SHRCC in conjunction with CEO Scott Barber to outline the terms of the lease and start preparing for works to be carried out.
Consortium member Mark Humphrey said he was delighted with the result and the support received from other user groups at the Motorplex.
“The support over the last week has been amazing,” Mr Humphrey said.
“We have had communication from all the other user groups to congratulate us and offer support.
“I’ve received a text from the motorcycle club president who is currently overseas, letting me know he supports us and the plans we have for the overall complex.
“I have also received a letter of support from the sporting car club as well as messages from the kart club and speedway, so a chance to work together in future is very positive.”
The decision to grant the motion came after Cr Chris Jeffrey’s rescission of his previous vote against the Skid City submission last week.
In yesterday’s unscheduled council meeting, Cr Jeffrey read his motion, which included a statement of how he had battled with his previous decision.
“Last Tuesday, my vote was cast in favour of following proper business process, yet the sleepless night that followed was a clear gut signal from my conscience that my decision did not align with my personal integrity or with the community’s best interest,” he said.
“I kept asking myself ‘How can I walk down the street today, tomorrow, in 12 months’ or 10 years’ time, with my head held high in the community, knowing that we have potentially killed any interest of private investment into this site?’
“It is rare to be granted a chance to rectify a decision and today I stand before you ready to take that opportunity.”
Cr Jeffrey noted his involvement with the drag strip since 2016 and the ongoing failures that had become an obstacle to the site’s success.
Cr Les McPhee was absent from the meeting.
In moving forward, Mr Humphrey said he looked forward to dealing with the SHRCC CEO to secure a lease arrangement – a process he anticipated would take approximately four to six weeks.
He said the decision was a win for the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) and drag racing enthusiasts.
“Swan Hill has an incredible asset in that this strip,” he said.
“Once completed, it will be the only quarter-mile strip in Victoria and that is what makes it so attractive nationally and internationally.
“We are very much looking forward to hosting ANDRA-sanctioned events in both drag racing and burnouts.”
