BMX bike track a step closer thanks to new funding from Marion Council

A multimillion-dollar world-class BMX bike track at O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park is a step closer thanks to an extra $1 million from the local council — but the State Government needs to chip in extra too.

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Marion Council will build a multimillion-dollar, international-standard BMX bike track in O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park if the State Government agrees to spend up to $1.5 million improving roads to manage additional traffic at the Majors Rd site.

The council on Tuesday committed an additional $1 million to the project, bringing its total commitment to $1.75m, and the total funding pool to $5.8m, made up of State Government, City of Marion and City of Onkaparinga grants.

The additional $1 million from Marion Council is needed to remove 3m to 4m of black clay to create a stable base for the facility.

Most BMX tracks are dug into the ground to better serve spectators and protect riders from wind.

“The project is still a long way from the finish line,” said Marion Mayor Hanna.

Rider Shane Rosa at the site of the proposed track. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“The next step would be a final design being submitted for planning approval at State level.

“The Department of Transport have advised Council that major road improvements would be required on Majors Road, and Council would need to fund that at a cost of about $1.5m.

“Marion Council’s green light for the project is conditional on the Department of Transport, not Council, funding the necessary improvements to Majors Road.”

He said Onkaparinga pledged $750,000 to the facility because it would be shared by Onkaparinga’s Happy Valley BMX Club and Marion’s Cove BMX club, at Hallett Cove.

The State Government pledged more than $3 million.

Other sites previously considered included the Southern Sports Complex near Noarlunga Centre, the Wilfred Taylor Reserve and a triangle of land at the corner of South Road and Marion Road, Darlington.

Onkaparinga Council ruled out hosting a site before the Council elections.

Marion returned to Majors Rd as its preferred site after a Council report revealed the Darlington alternative was culturally significant to the Kaurna and Ramindjeri people and listed under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988.

The track will be South Australia’s first UCI standard facility, meaning it will adhere to the regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale, the sport’s international governing body.

If built, it will be named in honour of Aussie BMX star and Olympian Sam Willoughby.

Carlos Mario Oquendo Zabala of Colombia, Sam Willoughby of Australia, Amidou Mir of France, Alfredo Campo of Ecuador, Evgeny Komarov of Russia competes in the Cycling BMX — Men's Quarterfinals on Day 13 of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil in 2016. Picture: Lars Baron/Getty Images