Community Opposition Grows to Olympic Park V8 Madness

Wednesday, 03 September 2008 20:53

TEC Urban Campaigner Mr Leigh Martin said “the NSW Government faces a groundswell of opposition to this insane plan with local government, community groups and environmental organisations all strongly voicing their opposition. The Government should heed the views of the community and immediately rule out any prospect of V8 racing at Olympic Park”. 

Auburn, Parramatta and Ryde Councils have all unanimously passed resolutions opposing the proposed race and public meeting is due to be held on Sunday 5 September at the Newington Community Centre.

TEC has warned the Government that this is simply the start of a long and sustained campaign against the proposed event.

“TEC is committed to a grass roots, activist campaign against for as long as is necessary to defeat this proposal. We are working closely with local councils and residents to stop this senseless environmental vandalism,” Mr Martin said.

The race would require the removal of up to 700 native trees and result in massive quantities of greenhouse gasses and hazardous air pollutants being released into the atmosphere. There would also be massive disruption to the local community through noise impacts and up to 470 semi-trailer movements needed to install and remove race track facilities, including 7 kilometres of concrete barriers.

“Olympic Park is simply the wrong place for this type of event. With a motor racing circuit just down the road at Eastern Creek there is no justification for destroying years of progress on sustainability at Olympic Park and subjecting surrounding suburbs to unacceptable levels of noise and traffic,” Mr Martin said.