Moreton Motorsport Park boost - and battle

Plans for Moreton Motorsport Park (MMP) have been given huge support in public submissions - but its opponents are not backing down.

Corbet’s Group, which is behind the $20 million proposal on land between Caboolture and Beachmere, says 80 per cent, or four in five, of almost 7000 submissions support the MMP.

It follows a public consultation period which Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie extended by 10 business days, after a heated meeting between residents and the proponents.

However, the No Moreton Motorsport Park protest organisation says its aim was to mobilise “our community that surrounds the proposed speedway”.

“Their views under the submission process carry far more weight than submissions made from outside the area, state or even the country,” a spokesperson said.

“Our focus will transition now to ensuring key decision makers are aware of the flaws in the proposal.”

MMP’s plans include motocross and speedway tracks, driver training, BMX track, pitting, seating, food and beverages on 24.8 hectares off Bloesch Rd.

Annual projections are for 13 minor and 3 major speedway events attracting 1000 and 4000 spectators respectively and 26 minor and 3 major motocross meetings with 100 and 1000 spectators.

Fiscal modelling suggests MMP would inject $15 million annually into the local economy, create hundreds of jobs during construction and more than 40 ongoing when open.

Mr Corbet said MMP could help police, fire crews and ambulance officers who have to travel to Mt Cotton for emergency driver training and be used for public defensive driver training.

“We want to open the gates to the people who dedicate their days to keeping us safe,” he said. “It’s the least we can do – to help those who save lives for a living.”

The project team has consistently said “high level” assessments - including noise modelling, flood impact, ecological impact, traffic assessments and economic needs - had been done to ensure MMP did not impact on the community.

“Community benefit has always been at the core of this proposal, in terms of the enjoyment this precinct would bring and economic benefit for businesses,” Mr Corbet said.

“We hope we are afforded the privilege of delivering a world-class facility that provides entertainment, opportunity, family fun and gives back to the community.”

However, No Moreton Motorsport Park has questioned the flood modelling used saying it’s outdated and claims flood impacts will increase on neighbouring properties, Beachmere and Bribie Island Rds.

The group also believes the wrong model was used to determine noise impact, says there’s no plan to stop petrochemicals entering ground water and traffic modelling was done for Bribie Island Rd not Beachmere Rd.

The No Moreton Motorsport Park spokesperson said: “There is little doubt the developer has underestimated the impacts and overestimated benefits”.

In the last two weeks, the group says it has met with the Deputy Premier’s office and Moreton Bay City Councillors Mark Booth and Brooke Savige.

The spokesperson said it raised “the many flaws in the proposed speedway which will have significant flood, noise, environmental, social and traffic impacts on our community”.

“This doesn’t just affect Beachmere - it also affects Sandstone Point, Ningi, Bribie Island, North Harbour, Burpengary East, Caboolture and Morayfield.

“The Deputy Premier needs to work with the developer to find a more suitable location.”

The MMP team says it will continue engaging with the community while the proposal is considered under the State Government’s Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID).