By JONATHON HOWARD
CAPTION: Southern Downs Regional Councillor Jamie Mackenzie who raised the need for a compromise after Carnell Raceway’s application to extend race meets has stalled.
SEVERAL Southern Downs Regional Councillors are calling for a compromise on Carnell Raceway’s long-standing application to extend race days.
Cr Jamie Mackenzie said he looked forward to making a decision but only after some innovative public consultation that has not been used before in Queensland.
“I am sure the other councillors like me appreciate the value of Carnell Raceway to the Stanthorpe community, as well as the need to preserve a reasonable level environmental amenity for surrounding residents,” he said.
“Some would prefer that there are no events there, but the 1996 Consent Order establishes at least 12 events per annum at Carnell Raceway.”
Cr Mackenzie said the current application proposed up to 40 race days and perhaps there was a chance for a smaller increase to meet residents somewhere in between.
Cr Mackenzie invited interested parties to openly and cordially discuss a small increase before council make a decision.
“This way councillors can make a decision confidently and council will know it has tried its best to consult with the community on a sensitive matter,” he said.
“If there is no agreement, the club and submitters could still contest council’s decision in court.
“I hope Council will start the process for ’pre-mediation’ as soon as possible, conscious that council needs to make a ’win-win’ decision sooner than later, especially as the matter is a little complex due to the existence of a consent order from a previous appeal.”
Cr Vic Penisi has also backed a push for consultation with a view to compromise.
“In my view it would be a logical and best practice to sit both parties in a room and mediate the best solution for all,” he said.
Carnell Raceway president Rob Brown said the club was open to the idea of a compromise and had never set the 40 days in stone.
“We would welcome a compromise that’s both in line with the expectations of residents and allows the club to survive into the future,” he said.
The Carnell Raceway committee submitted a change of use application with council in January 2012, however, the applicant had not provided all mandatory information, including evidence of resource allocation from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines for the use of reserve land.
Council explains delays
SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council’s planning and environment director, Ken Harris, said the Carnell Raceway application, which requested the inclusion of driver training days and up to 40 race meets, was properly made on 10 January this year.
“On 20 February 2013, the applicant was advised public notification could commence,” Mr Harris said.
“Public notification took longer than usual because the applicant provided misleading information to nearby residents, and was requested to recommence public notification and provide correct information to residents. Public notification finished on 16 April 2013.”
Mr Harris said a report was to be submitted to the May 2013 council general meeting, but staff were directed to provide a briefing paper to the briefing meeting on 3 June 2013. A further report will be submitted the June 2013 general meeting in Warwick.
