PAKENHAM CIRCUIT STILL ON THE TABLE

Plans for an FIA Grade 2 circuit in Melbourne’s southeast are not dead yet.

Cardinia Shire Council has said they are still committed to the project and the Victorian Government has allocated $1.7 million from its 2022/23 budget to the master planning and site due diligence for a new motorsport venue in the state.

The proposal for a track in Pakenham, just over 50km from Melbourne, suffered a significant setback last year when circuit developers Podium 1 pulled out of the undertaking, withdrawing their $200 million funding.

Since then, the Cardinia Motorsports Education and Recreation Park project has sat in limbo, with the council attempting to secure funding to kickstart the process.

While a backer has not yet emerged, Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Jeff Springfield confirmed that a procurement process would take place in the middle of this year.

“Cardinia Shire Council remains committed to facilitating the development of the Cardinia Motorsports Education and Recreation Park,” Springfield told <i>Auto Action<i>.

“Council is currently finalising the documentation and is planning to undertake a procurement process mid-year to determine the level of interest for new investment in the project, and guide and inform the future Council decisions.

“We know how excited the Cardinia Shire and broader motorsport community is for this project to get up and running in Melbourne’s southeast.

“The land is unique and has the necessary planning permissions, so we’ll be commencing a procurement process soon to get this project revving for motorsport fans right around the state.”

This latest update comes as the future of motorsport in Victoria enters an uncertain period.

Sandown Raceway is set to be redeveloped as a residential suburb, while there have been rumours of the construction of a new circuit north of Melbourne.

Motorsport Australia has said that no locations are off the table for a new facility and that there is no set size or scope for the venue.

“The procurement process will determine the viability of the project amongst the broader environment of development and closures of other motorsport venues across the nation,” Springfield responded to the current state of play.

The proposed 3.6km Pakenham circuit will have the ability to host categories from karting through to the Supercars Championship and accommodate 60,000 spectators.

A site has already been selected for the possible circuit, located at the former home of the Koo Wee Rup Motorcycle Club and Pakenham Auto Club.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action.