Minutes of the ordinary Council meeting - 25 September 2012

RECOMMENDATION IMPLICATIONS
Environmental: The environmental impacts of the proposal (noise, traffic, etc.)
are within all acceptable limits if managed correctly.
Social: The proposal has the potential to provide a positive social benefit to the
community associated with economic stimulus and increased tourism.
Economic (Financial): The drag racing event has the potential to attract tourists
who will spend money at local businesses, particularly food and accommodation
businesses estimated at approximately $288,000. Council will receive $2,000 per
day in airport leasing fees to host the event.
Policy or Statutory: The proposal complies with all relevant legislation and Council
policy.
REPORT DETAILS
Proposed Development
The original proposal was to hold a 1/8 th mile drag racing event, 4 times per year.
The original plans provided for the following:
4 x drag races per year;
The use of the apron/taxi area for the return of the drag cars;
The use of the grass strip for cars to return to the pit area;
The runoff area extended passed the taxi area, 300m passed the finish line;
and
A spectator area with access from Airport Road.
As a result of consultation with the existing users of the airport and Council and
having regard to the matters raised by the public in submissions, on 15 March 2011
the applicant modified the proposal. This modification removes the necessity to use
either the apron/taxi area or the grass strip for the event and relocates the parking
and spectator areas to the north with access off Old Aerodrome Road. This is
primarily to allow for the current and any potential users of the airport to access
the main runway and the grass strip as necessary. The plans were modified again
on 28 April 2011 to include the placement of ground marshals, witches hats and
other safety markings.
In order to address the concerns relating to the feasibility of conducting drag racing
without the need to close the airport, the drag races will be restricted to the
extreme north eastern end of the airport runway, leaving sufficient runway for
planes to take-off and land on the south western end, of the airport runway (See
“Airport Regulations”) (Appendix A - Page SE1).
At no time will the airstrip be closed to air traffic.
The proposed event will include drag races, show-and-shine cars (which do not
race), food stalls and other car-related product stalls. The operators will also supply
toilets, rubbish bins, a stall with free drinking water, security personnel, safety
marshals, etc. Public carparking will be available via access from Old Aerodrome
Road, only competitors will have access to the site via Airport Road. The proposed
event will be a strictly “no alcohol” event. The applicant proposes to race “road
legal” cars only. Purpose built “dragsters” will not be permitted to race.
Kempsey Shire Council FULL TEXT Minutes Ordinary Meeting 25 September 2012 Page 19