SPEEDWAY TO GET NEW HOME IN WESTERN SYDNEY

Speedway to get new home in Sydney – Photos: Gary Reid

Following the announcement that Sydney Speedway is to be demolished in favour of a new rail facility, the NSW Government has today announced that a new home for Speedway racing will be built in the city.

By GEOFF ROUNDS

The long tradition of Speedway racing in Sydney was yesterday given a knockout punch by the state government announcing that the current site in Clyde will be compulsorily acquired for the $20 billion Metro West project.

The Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said today “agencies across government will work together to build a new Speedway facility, with a range of potential sites on the table.”

“The community and racing fans can be assured that the NSW Government remains absolutely committed to relocating speedway racing in Sydney,” Mr Constance said in a statement.

“I acknowledge the long-standing presence of the current Sydney Speedway and its significance to Western Sydney over the last 42 years. I am absolutely committed to ensuring that Speedway racing has a bigger and brighter future in the region for decades to come. The NSW Government owns sufficient land in Western Sydney to accommodate a new Speedway facility.”

It comes after the owners of Sydney Speedway were left in shock yesterday when they were told their iconic venue would be bulldozed in 2021 to make way for a new train marshalling yard for the Western Sydney Metro.

Acting Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans Geoff Lee said:

“Generations of families have enjoyed speedway racing and thanks to the NSW Government they will be able to continue to do so at a new venue,” he said.

The government will hold a forum on November 15 with the motorsport community to discuss potential options for where the new speedway could be located including options near the Sydney Motorsport Precinct at Eastern Creek.

The announcement has followed national and international outrage from operators of the existing speedway, fans and competitors.

Speedway business director Felicity Waldron said all this comes despite two years of renegotiating to renew a Crown land lease that the Speedway sits on and expires in 2026.

Motor racing fans have been in uproar over the decision and are holding a public rally at the Speedway tonight from 5pm.

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