Council seeks expressions of interest for Colin Dale Park

Manukau is a step closer to having an international motorsport venue near the Auckland airport.

The council is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) for the development of Colin Dale Park as a venue for a wide range of motor sports and leisure activities and to be a centre for regional, national and international events.

The EOI process has two stages – firstly, the completion of registration form (by 30 September), and secondly, submitting a supporting proposal (by 30 October).

The concept was initiated back in 2006 in response to approaches to the council and after many workshops that indicated that the needs of motor and other similar sports are not currently being met in the Auckland region.

The 57-hectare venue is expected to promote motor sports as a legitimate recreational activity and establish quality facilities for a range of family entertainment, safe participation for young people and for commercial attractions.

The preliminary concept plan highlighted the potential use for go-karts, speedway, off-road racing/motocross, radio-controlled cars, blokarts, BMX and jet sprint boats. It underlined the need for both club-based activities as well as commercial activities on a sharing basis.

This concept plan identified three main speedway circuits – a short track circuit for motor cycles and cars, a go-kart track and a venue for off-road racing/motocross. The expressions of interest from the community will provide the opportunity to review the concept and take it to the next stage of identifying suitable activities and users.

The site was acquired by the council as a reserve and it has been rezoned predominantly as Public Open Space 3.

Motor sport activities have unique environmental effects which need to be managed, and this puts restrictions on where these activities can be located. The park is ideally located in a rural pocket surrounded by metropolitan Auckland and is close to the airport.

There will be some limits to the scale of events until vehicle access is developed further. Also, there are limits on the number of events with high levels of noise, but by way of example motorsports should be able to operate with less restriction than at Western Springs.

The EOI registration forms must be received by the council by 2pm on 30 September To obtain a copy of the registration form and the Invitation For EOI document, contact Kevin Kingston, on 09 262 8900 extension 8773 or email: kevin.kingston@manukau.govt.nz. Shortlisted submitters will be invited to provide supporting proposal by 30 October.

ENDS

© Scoop Media