Plans for an additional circuit at Mount Panorama received a boost with the announcement of a $10 million federal government grant for the project.
The proposed new track is part of a wider $52.4m industrial and commercial development, Velocity Park, adjacent to the Mount Panorama circuit.
The project is to be funded by a mix of federal, state and local government contributions. A total of $35m has been pledged so far, including $15m from the NSW state government and $10m from Bathurst Regional Council.
While a shortfall of around $17m remains, Bathurst Regional Council mayor is confident the project will go ahead, declaring the second track a ‘certainty’.
“We’re serious about this happening,” he said. "It really will happen. The $10 million today goes with money from the state government and local government.
“We’re still a way off from the first sod being turned but there is a pipeline and there’s light at the end of that tunnel and it will happen.”
The existing 6.2km Mount Panorama circuit would not be affected by the construction work or the completed Velocity Park facility, situated to the west of McPhillamy Park.
A final layout for the proposed track of around 4.5km is yet to be finalised.
