Australia’s peak body for cycling has accused the NSW government of leaving athletes in limbo in the run-up to a home Olympics in 2032 as Sydney’s Dunc Gray Velodrome faces an uncertain future.
Built for $42 million to host track cycling at the Sydney Games in 2000, the Bass Hill venue has faded from its former glory but has remained an important base for training and state-level competition.
The Dunc Gray Velodrome hosts a UCI Track World Cup event in 2004 before its decline.Credit: Craig Golding
Now there are fears the rundown facility could be closed, becoming an Olympic legacy failure and leaving NSW as the only state without an indoor velodrome.
The NSW Office of Sport is approaching the end of a contract to manage the race circuit with its owner, Canterbury-Bankstown Council, and has yet to indicate whether the deal will be renewed.
With doubt over whether the council will be prepared to slug ratepayers with the $500,000-a-year maintenance bill when the agreement with government winds up on March 31, the outlook for Olympic aspirants is up in the air.
The uncertainty has prompted the NSW Institute of Sport to cease its track program – a body-blow for competitors with their eyes on Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane four years later.
A competition at the Dunc Gray Velodrome in 2021.Credit: In The Zone / Florent Malezieux
AusCycling, the governing body formed to oversee track and road cycling as well as BMX racing and mountain biking, said it had been attempting to work with the Office of Sport and others on options to revitalise the former Olympic venue for the past year.
“It now appears the NSW government has decided to abandon responsibility for the velodrome and hand management of the facility to the Canterbury-Bankstown Council from 31 March 2025,” it said.
The council, which was gifted the velodrome after the Sydney Olympics, covers half the maintenance costs at Dunc Gray and has been attempting to convince the state government to invest in an upgrade.
AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner said it was working with council in a bid to come up an alternative solution to keep the doors open in the immediate future while developing a long-term vision.
“If I was a young aspiring athlete, what I’d say is ‘do I have to find another post to fulfil my potential because I don’t have options in NSW as a track cyclist, or do I have to move interstate?’” she said.
The venue in its glory days.Credit: Tim Clayton
“The fact that we aren’t caring enough about what is an iconic venue that is intrinsically linked to something that NSW is very proud of, in terms of the 2000 Olympics, when we’ve got our next Olympics eight years away, is confusing.”
The location of the velodrome, a half-hour drive south-west of the Sydney Olympic Park precinct, has elevated its white elephant status.
Fechner believes NSW could lead the way with a multipurpose facility that makes use of the inside of a velodrome track with community or other sporting activities.
An Office of Sport spokesperson said it had prepared a strategic business case to inform decisions regarding the ongoing operations of the venue and had consulted AusCycling and other cycling bodies in NSW.
“The Office of Sport management agreement with Canterbury-Bankstown Council includes facility operation and management, staffing, promotion and hire of the venue, and a program of essential works and maintenance that ensures the venue can be used for cycling training and events, and by cycling clubs and other user groups,” the spokesman said.
Future management arrangements beyond the end of the agreement on March 31 were being discussed with the council, he added.
Asked about the future of the velodrome and whether it could be closed or demolished, a council spokeswoman confirmed it was yet to hear if the agreement with the Office of Sport would continue.
“Council is awaiting news from the NSW government on their funding commitment and plans to invest in the facility,” she said.