Federal Government withdraws funding for second Bathurst race circuit

Plans for a second motor racing circuit at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama appear likely to not proceed with the Federal Government withdrawing previously pledged funding for the new track.

Bathurst Regional Council last week received a notification from the Federal Government that the $12.5 million funding for a new track to be built alongside the existing Mount Panorama circuit had been withdrawn.

The move came after the Council sought to repurpose some of the funding into upgrades of the current Mount Panorama facilities. However, the Federal Government advice was that this didn’t align with the original grant.

Commenting on this, Bathurst Mayor, Robert Taylor stated “unfortunately, we were advised this didn’t align with the intent of the original grant funding.

“The project is on hold for now, but Council strongly supports development of the second circuit and will continue to work with both the Federal and State Governments and other stakeholders to make it happen.”

First proposed in 2018, the $52 million plan had been to build the new circuit on a new 200 hectare site west of McPhillamy Park.

Two separate Federal Government grants of $10 million and $2.5 million for the development required that the money be spent by 2026.

A further $15 million in funding has been committed by the NSW Government

A report on the matter will be presented to Council at a meeting tonight (21st June).

Image shows the concept for the second Bathurst race circuit.