BMX track saga continues as council reveals potential liability for $92k damage bill

Marion City Council may have to pay $92k to fix the brand new BMX facility, which has held just one event. Elected members will discuss the issue at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

Marion City Council will most likely have to foot the $92,000 bill for damage caused to sections of their brand new BMX facility.

The $6m Sam Willoughby BMX track, at O’Halloran Hill, was left with widespread cracks and ripped bitumen after it hosted the 2022 AusCycling BMX National Series in heavy rain on January 22 and 23.

It’s now been revealed the damage bill for the orange track surface is $92,000.

Less than two weeks after hosting its first major event, a $6 million O’Hallloran Hill BMX Sam Willoughby facility hailed as ‘world-class’ has been abandoned by riders, looking worse for wear. Picture: 7NEWS

In response to questions from Councillor Bruce Hull in this week’s full council meeting agenda, acting general manager for city development, Tony Lines said final liability for who pays for the repair works had not yet been agreed.

“It is unlikely that the State Government, the BMX clubs or other councils will contribute to the cost of any remedial works,” Mr Lines said.

“City of Marion has lodged an insurance claim for the site damages, and it is hoped that this will reduce the overall cost to City of Marion.”

The cost of damage to the berms was not made public because that part of the track was yet to be finished by the contractor.

“It was agreed that the black berms at the end of each track straight would be asphalted after the opening event. This is an outstanding part of the contractor’s scope of work, i.e. will not come at additional cost,” Mr Lines said.

“Most other site damages are wholly due to the torrential rain and need to be remedied by City of Marion.”

Less than two weeks after hosting its first major event, a $6 million O’Hallloran Hill BMX Sam Willoughby facility hailed as ‘world-class’ has been abandoned by riders, looking worse for wear. Picture: 7NEWS

Riders took to the Sam Willoubhy International BMX track in heavy rain on the first day of a national competition after the official opening. Picture: AusCycling

Mr Lines defended the decision to host the opening event, despite the track not being finished.

“Council received advice from the contractor that the track was ready and could be ridden from 4pm January 20, 2022. However, this did not allow for the severity of the inclement weather,” he said

“Practical completion of the project had occurred, and council accepted the contractor’s advice that the track was ready.”

The track had also been inspected and approved by international cycling organisation, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

However, Auscycling BMX sports manager and UCI official Luke Madill told The Advertiser the track did not have certification, which had been sought by the council.

“I made it clear that it would be approved to race a national round, but would not have UCI certification until after the event as corners and other aspects had not been finished,” Mr Madill said.