MEDIA RELEASE
22 December 2004

City makes last attempt to save speedway season

Auckland City is supporting Springs Promotions in asking the Environment Court to enable racing to continue at Western Springs Speedway for the remainder of the season.

An application was lodged with the Environment Court by the speedway promotors late this afternoon.

Today’s meeting of the City, Springs Promotion and the Residents’ Association was cancelled.

“We are acutely aware of the residents’ concerns and have made every attempt to reach an agreement between all parties,” says Mayor Dick Hubbard.

“The City was hopeful that the meetings chaired by Deputy Mayor Hucker would reach an agreement to ensure quality events could continue within acceptable noise limits. Unfortunately this didn’t eventuate despite our best efforts,” he says.

“Council unanimously supports saving this community event and an approach to the Court is our only remaining alternative to save the speedway in the short-term,” he says.

This afternoon Springs Promotion asked the Environment Court to cancel or amend the interim enforcement order to enable racing to continue up to a level of 90 DbA for the remainder of the season. Springs Promotion has indicated that this is the lowest noise limit possible to run a successful event.

“This indicates that the promotors are willing to make their best endeavours to limit noise at the source in the middle of the track and to reduce the noise levels of particular cars,” says Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker.

“The future of Western Springs Speedway will now be determined by the Environment Court who are willing to consider this matter with the urgency it requires,” he says.

The speedway has been run at the Western Springs stadium for 76 years. The District Plan allows for a maximum of three practice sessions, 20 races, and six concerts in the stadium each year.

Ends

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