Wakefield Park limited to four events per year due to noise complaints

The future of Wakefield Park raceway is in jeopardy after residents’ noise complaints put the brakes on events, but council is condemning “abuse and bullying” of those who spoke out.

Now that a popular motorsport park is restricted to four events per year, the owners and council are condemning “abuse and bullying” towards residents while the two groups advocate for the long-term future of the facility.

The Land and Environment Court’s decision to limit Wakefield Park’s activity was a result of the racetrack operating above the noise conditions enforced in 1993, ensuring a maximum limit of 95dBA was complied with.

The hearing concluded that some residents near the 2.2km motor racing circuit located at Braidwood Rd, Tirrannaville, found the noise levels unbearable – describing them to range from “high pitch” to “screaming” – and therefore affecting people’s mental health and interrupting the flow of their everyday life.

The hearing also found that in order to limit (unsuccessfully) the noise, residents had to keep their windows and doors shut most days of the year, modify their homes including replacing doors, windows and roofs at costs of up to $100,000.

Though what brought the matter to the court’s attention in the first place was actually the owners of Wakefield Park, Benalla Auto Club (BAC) appealing Goulburn council’s noise condition for their development application in 2021, to expand their facility with community events that weren’t motorsport related.

The end result has left the majority of the community angered mainly due to the financial impact on local businesses and the raceway itself, which generated a lot of tourism for Goulburn.

‘The LEC decision is a shattering blow to the BAC, which submitted the DA with an intention of upgrading and improving Wakefield Park’s facilities,” a statement by Wakefield Park read.

“Wakefield Park’s existence as one of only two permanent motorsport facilities in NSW is now in jeopardy.

“Nevertheless, the BAC recognises the importance of Wakefield Park not only to the local economy, but to the wider motorsport and automotive industries.”

Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s new CEO, Aaron Johansson, issued a statement on Wakefield Park.

CEO of Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Aaron Johansson, made a statement about the findings of the Land and Environment Court and Council’s role in the matter.

“For more than a decade, Goulburn Mulwaree Council has sought to work with Wakefield Park and nearby residents to find a balanced and fair outcome for all concerned parties,” he said.

“It should be noted that the commissioner’s determination has imposed significantly stricter consent conditions than those imposed by council in July 2021.

“Despite comments to the contrary, council wishes to reinforce that these new and stricter conditions were ultimately imposed by the court, and not council, with the commissioner finding that council’s determination in July 2021 was in fact generous in comparison with the state’s specific noise assessment criteria.”

He also reiterated council’s stance on the racetrack.

“It has never been council’s desire to see Wakefield Park cease operations; only for the venue to operate within the approved consent conditions,” he said.

“Quite simply council wants to see a profitable successful Wakefield Park, with the many positive economic benefits which flow from this. However, these must be conducted within the agreed noise levels.”

Despite the noise levels being a very real threat to residents living close by, both council and Wakefield Park have publicly discouraged the “abuse” being hurled at those people.

“Council once again calls on everyone to conduct discussions around this issue in a respectful manner. The abuse and bullying directed towards residents is abhorrent, and should be condemned by all those who seek an amicable resolution to this matter.”

Races underway at Wakefield Park.

Following the court’s decision, both groups have been working together to advocate for the future of the racetrack.

“Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Cr Peter Walker and CEO Aaron Johansson have written to a number of NSW Ministers and Shadow Ministers, seeking urgent meetings to discuss aspects of Wakefield Park relevant to their portfolio,” a council spokesman said.

“These include planning around motorsport facilities, regional development and tourism, environmental noise management, and business diversification opportunities focused on the development of emerging automotive technology.

“Goulburn Mulwaree Council and the Benalla Auto Club have committed to working together in order to find a fair and balanced means of ensuring the facility’s survival, support the wider business community, and meet the needs of nearby residents.”