Sydney Speedway’s new venue is still undecided

Sydney Speedway fans could be deprived of a season without their beloved motorsport because of what they say is State Government’s “contempt”. Here’s why.

Still waiting: Speedway fans are still waiting to find out the location of their new home. Picture: Jonathan Ng

• South Wentworthville: Woman arrested over murder of partner
• Long wait for new Speedway home

Sydney Speedway fans could be deprived of a season without the motorsport because of the State Government’s “contempt” and failure to update officials on relocation details.

Seven weeks after Speedway management was told the government would acquire its home to build a Metro train marshalling yard, it has accused ministers of poor communication.

But the government has hit back, confirming a new venue will be announced soon.

Last month, Speedway business director Felicity Waldron said if suitable land was not identified by December 1, it would not be ready for the 2021 season to start in September that year.

Mrs Waldron said management was also misled during negotiations to renew its least last year when it knew about the Metro train plans but withheld the information from staff.

Speedway has been at Clyde for 42 years. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Despite the government owning the Wentworth St Speedway site, Mrs Waldron said there was too much at stake for it to ignore the Speedway community.

“There’s 5600 direct families and you tell me they’re not going to vote and tell their friends how to vote?” she said.

“It’s a big issue. Our community’s more Liberal voters than Labor because they’re business people and invest a lot into sport. They’re from western Sydney and (the government’s) hurting people.’’

She accused Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee of not having a true commitment to Speedway despite pledging to relocate it following community outrage.

The State Government has said an announcement about speedway’s future home will be made soon. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“They don’t respond to anything in writing and a conversation is ‘he said, she said’,’’ Mrs Waldron said.

“We are being treated with the same contempt and deception that we experienced throughout last year in trying to secure a new lease with Crown Lands. Is this how government should operate?”

Mr Lee rejected claims of not communicating with Speedway staff.

He stressed that Sydney Metro representatives met management five times since late October and throughout November to keep them updated with the process under and future opportunities.

“The government made a commitment and we are honouring this – to suggest otherwise is disingenuous and deliberately misleading the public,’’ he said.

“The NSW Government is committed to the relocation of speedway racing in Sydney. I can confirm that we are in the final stages of identifying a preferred location. Once we confirm the location, we will make a public announcement.”

He said the speedway site would be constructed by late 2021 for the racing season.

“It will provide fans with new world class facilities,’’ he said.

“Sydney Metro will continue to work with the current operator regarding acquisition of their existing operating lease at Clyde.’’

A Sydney Metro spokesman said the relocation of the speedway site at Clyde was still required for the construction of the Sydney Metro West project.

“A fleet of new driverless metro trains will be stabled at Clyde as part of this once-in-a-century infrastructure project,’’ he said.