Sydney Speedway community rejects relocation

Speedway officials are livid at the State Government despite being offered an alternate ground to run the motorsport.

The speedway community wants to remain in Clyde. Picture: Jonathan Ng

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The Speedway community has likened the State Government to North Korea for making them wait three years to build a track while their home of 42 years at Clyde gets bulldozed to make way for the Sydney West Metro rail project.

The government today pledged a new speedway track, possibly at Eastern Creek, but would opt for different operators.

Speedway is a casualty of the Sydney West Metro. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Valvoline Raceway, formerly known as Parramatta City Raceway, is a local landmark. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said a “range of potential sites on the table” would be considered and the government would host a forum on November 15 with several motorsport organisations to discuss the potential masterplan of the new Sydney Motorsport Precinct at Eastern Creek.

“I am absolutely committed to ensuring that speedway racing has a bigger and brighter future in the region for decades to come,’’ Mr Constance said.

“The NSW Government owns sufficient land in western Sydney to accommodate a new speedway facility.”

Transport Minister Andrew Constance and his government are being attacked by speedway supporters. Picture: Joel Carrett

But Speedway co-principal Felicity Waldron said it would take three years to construct the speedway-specific track and accused the government of not consulting officials.

The raceway will be shut in mid-2021 to make way for the stabling yard and operations centre for the $20 billion-plus Sydney Metro West project.

“If they think they’re going to move us to the boondocks, they’re wrong,’’ Mrs Waldron said.

“It has to be purpose-built and that would take three years. There is no purpose-built facilities that we could move to.”

“This is North Korea because this government is doing whatever they want without any democrcatic process.

“We just came back from Europe where they value everything old. Here they value nothing, not even our old people.”

Despite the government pledging a new home for Speedway, the operators may be not be Mrs Waldron and co-principal husband Barry, or the current staff who run the Wentworth St track.

“We’re the biggest stakeholders,’’ Mrs Waldron said.

“I didn’t even have a telephone call to discuss this.

“We just want our speedway here. This is so many people this affects — this is a community.”

Parramatta Liberal councillor Steven Issa is outraged his own party has failed to consult the council about the Metro stabling yard.

“Out of all the land at Camellia, they picked one site that’s got cultural significance to the community,’’ he said.

“It brings in tourists and economic dollars. It’s absurd.’’

Cr Issa is also outraged about the community being disadvantaged over other government projects, such as the loss of Parramatta Pools for Bankwest Stadium and last year’s annoucement of a new Cricket NSW centre at Wilson Park, Newington, which meant the loss of home for Newington Gunners Soccer Club.

“I’m becoming frustrated with the lack of consultation. There’s a better way to do things.’’

“Growing up in Granville, it’s been there for 40 years. When you hear the speedway you know it’s summer.’’

News of the Speedway shutting triggered 16,500 signatures on a change.org and thousands are expected to rally at the track at 6pm today.