Tara Murray
Calder Park Raceway could be a “ticking time bomb” if nothing is done to improve the safety of the site.
Brimbank councillors raised concerns about the track and the overall site at last week’s council meeting, following concerns from residents.
Mayor Ranka Rasic said residents are concerned about the condition of the site and what appears to be a lack of maintenance.
“The community near the Calder Park site has raised their concerns with me about the condition of the site.
“This includes not only the race track component but also the open paddocks. Residents are concerned about the apparent deterioration of the racetrack, buildings and the safety of the race track site.”
The track has been mostly unused in recent years following a family dispute by former owner Bob Jane and his son Rodney Jane in the early 2010s.
In December last year, tumble weed from the site invaded nearby properties, while a fire in January this year damaged fences of nearby houses.
Cr Rasic said residents had been asking for something to be done for years.
Fellow taylors ward councillors Maria Kerr and Bruce Lancashire also raised concerns.
Cr Lancashire said it was quite a serious issue.
“It may be a ticking time bomb for us with what may happen,” he said.
“We were all shocked by the fires that went through there and the lack of fire breaks.”
Cr Kerr said Calder Park had the ability to become something amazing for the community and that the council had to look at ways of improving the area.
The council will write to Calder Park Raceways Pty Ltd as owners of the Calder Park site outlining concerns about the general condition of the raceway grounds and surrounding land and requesting site and fire management plan.
They are also seeking a meeting with owners to discuss the site , the recent serrated tussock seed (tumbleweed) event and recent grassfires.
They will also write to the Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, the Environment Protection Authority, Agriculture Minister Mary Anne Thomas and Fire Rescue Victoria in regards to the site.
