MOUNT Gambier appears to have lost an annual multi-million dollar motorsport fixture following organisers unable to locate a suitable site for the controversial “burn-out” event.
The Mount Gambier Autofest has been left in limbo following the Mount Gambier Show Society barring the event from being held at the showgrounds.
This follows complaints from nearby residents over noise pollution and smoke billowing from the site during its notorious burn-out competition, as well as a change in Environmental Protection Authority regulations.
While organisers have scoured the region for alternative locations, they have not been able to secure a suitable site.
But show society president Kerry Hill yesterday stood by the organisation’s decision by revealing it was not willing to “stick their necks”out legally for the event organisers.
“We were not prepared to take the risk over noise levels and emissions,” Ms Hill said yesterday.
Autofest manager Les Adams said the event was earmarked to be held this weekend, which would had attracted up to 14,000 people.
“People travel far and wide to come to Mount Gambier for the event, there are a lot of disgruntled people about what has happened,” Mr Adams told The Border Watch.
Describing the show society’s decision as “ridiculous”, he said it appeared a small minority of people had driven the demise of this event.
He estimated the event “conservatively” attracted up to $3m for the Mount Gambier economy.
“The positives of the event far outweigh the negatives,” Mr Adams argued.
He said the event’s demise was particularly disappointing given Mount Gambier City Council used ratepayer funds to help build a bitumen pad for the Autofest event at the showground.
The event organiser revealed a number of other councils and cities had contacted them to snare the event from Mount Gambier.
“We have looked everywhere around the region for a location, even at Penola and Port MacDonnell,” Mr Adams said.
“It is looking likely it will never be held again here, which is really disappointing. This weekend would had been our 11th Autofest in Mount Gambier.”
Mr Adams said Mount Gambier City Council and Grant District Council had provided assistance in searching for a new location.
But an unwavering Ms Hill said the show society had to weigh up the impact on the community and possible legal implications.
She said a number of residents who lived near the showground went away during the Autofest weekend to get away from the “stench and burning rubber”.
The show society has determined they would not host any more motorsport “burn-out” at city’s iconic showgrounds.
Ms Hill also hit out at Mr Adams for “grizzling” over its decision in the media.
“Mr Adams comes from away and holds a one-off event each year. Why should we stick our necks out and risk liability for him,” she said.
The show society stalwart also revealed Mr Adams had not provide reports over emission levels from previous events.
She said the organisation had little choice given the changes to the EPA regulations and the fact it would be held liable for any breaches, not the event organiser.
Autofest holds other similar events at showgrounds in other parts of Australia, including Shepparton.
