By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Former Casey mayor Rob Wilson has weighed in against plans for a go-kart racing track in Hallam.
Mr Wilson argues there’s no room for the $2.1 million track under the low-hung high voltage power lines that would cross much of the site at 74-94 Centre Road.
“It’s just the principle of having activities under powerlines should be respected. There should not be dwellings and other stuff under them.”.
The long-term impact of electromagnetic radiation on the track’s workers was a “matter with unknown consequences”, he said.
“It could leave the council open to a lawsuit.
“I hope it won’t be conned by the promise of 36 jobs.”
It was also unclear how the track’s floodlighting could be installed and operated safely under the wires, he said.
Mr Wilson was also concerned by track run-off into the floodprone wetlands, and the squealing of tyres bedeviling residents of established and future estates from 8am-11pm seven days a week.
In its application, the proponent does not refer to any risks associated with the powerlines.
“The proposed use will generate social and economic benefits and will not compromise the industrial activities of the Hallam industrial estate.
“It is therefore an appropriate use on a site which would otherwise likely remain vacant.”
It states that the track with a double-storey office-and-party-room building would meet noise-emission standards. It will be bounded by acoustic walls up to 4.5 metres tall.
Up to 32 go karts would be in use, dropping to 10 vehicles on the track after 10pm.
The track would employ 36 workers, with up to 15 workers and 108 patrons on-site at a time, the proponent claims.
The site is an area of Aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity, but the proponent argues the ground has been largely disturbed.
The protected dwarf galaxias fish, in a nearby habitat pond, was unlikely to be significantly impacted, according to the submission’s environmental report.
