A group of local residents has raised concerns about a proposed motorcycle track planned for Wye.
Wye residents met with Grant District Council representatives on Monday to express their concerns.
Mayor Richard Sage, chief executive Darryl Whicker and development services team leader John Best met on-site with the residents to discuss a development application submitted by the Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle club for a new racetrack facility.
Keen wildlife carer and advocate Ebony Pitman is spearheading the movement opposing the track, due to concerns about wildlife, noise, road safety, traffic management and bushfires.
“Wombats, southern brown bandicoots, yellow footed antechinus, Red Tailed Black Cockatoos, reptiles, wallabies, emus, kangaroos and possums are among the wildlife that call this land home,” Miss Pitman said.
“The potential damage this track could inflict on wildlife if it is to go ahead is tremendous and irreversible.
“Wombats could be buried alive due to excavation near their burrows and the noise has the potential to send kangaroos into fences out of fear.”
Mr Best said council was bound by consultation procedures to notify affected parties.
However, locals were quick to raise concerns that some did not receive the necessary letter and have been left to “scramble to the table”, submitting proposals to council outlining a lengthy list of concerns in a short time-frame.
“The consultation process set by the State Government outlines the council must send a letter to anybody residing within 60 metres of the property boundary for the proposed site,” Mr Best said.
“The council failed to consult as per the regulations so we will look into that.”
Mr Whicker said the application would proceed to a council assessment panel consisting of four independent people tasked with making decisions on development applications.
“Those who ticked the box can go to this meeting as representation providing concerned residents with the opportunity to have their voice heard,” Mr Whicker said.
Those opposed will each be provided five minutes to outline their objections to the proposal.
Mr Whicker said he was hopeful the group of 20 locals could achieve something great, crediting the quantity of people all voicing the same concerns.
“The application might be approved, it might not be approved but the stronger the representation and the more organised they are, the better chances they have of stopping it,” Mr Whicker said.
