Mt Panorama facelift more than skin deep

Behind the scenes of the motor racing at Bathurst this weekend Bathurst Regional Council is working with race organisers to keep the wheels turning on the next stage of the multi million dollar redevelopment project.

Council administrator Kath Knowles said the response to the new pit complex and upgraded facilities is providing important feedback for Council as they continue to develop the circuit infrastructure.
“Council has worked hard to get the project to this stage on time and it is very encouraging to receive such positive feedback from race teams, officials and fans this weekend to our new world class race centre.

“This project is far more than a cosmetic makeover with a multi-staged plan to remove the aging circuit infrastructure and recreate a fresh new face for Mount Panorama. We are working with a local contractor to ensure it is done correctly.

“The bar has now been raised on what is expected out of the circuit and Council has a commitment to continue to meet and exceed those expectations to ensure Mt Panorama maintains the world class reputation it deserves.”
“While we have come along way since December last year when there was no more than a pile of rubble along pit straight, this is only the beginning.

“Work will begin almost immediately after the dust settles on the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 on plans for tourism and recreational features around the Mountain and construction schedules developed for the replacement of the pedestrian bridge across pit straight and the antiquated media and race control centres at the entrance to the circuit.”

The project scope includes further development of:

• Improvements to overtrack pedestrian access
• Provision of all-year round tourist entrance to complex • McPhillamy Park nature and recreation area
• Construction of first floor access ramp
• Extension of corporate/all year round function rooms
• Demolition of remaining antiquated buildings at the start of pit straight, as all functions can be transferred to the new building
• More improvements to camping and spectator amenities
• Upgrading of the top of the mount to provide year round tourist facilities and new amenities for race goers
• Commencement of preliminary stages of drawcard tourist attraction development on top of mount (will enable involvement by private sector)
• Commencement of preliminary stages of Harris Park and grandstand, function room redevelopment, (will enable involvement by private sector)

AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane said Council should be congratulated on its initiative with the project and in achieving what it set out to do with the Stage 1.

“Council is very much responsible for what we know see at the Mountain and together with the State and Federal Governments for providing our teams with the new facilities on time.

“With more works to be completed by March next year the stage is being set for even greater level of excitement at Mount Panorama in 2005.” The $24 million dollar redevelopment, funded jointly by the State and Commonwealth Governments is the first stage in the implementation of a broad-ranging Tourism and Recreational Strategy for Mount Panorama.