Intro
A strategic approach for the development of our industry.
Western Australian motorsport is underpinned by a passionate and enthusiastic industry which has driven the development of the sector over the last century.
The foundations of track-based motorsport in Western Australia are firmly embedded in the people and clubs whose dedication to the sport has shaped its culture and popularity throughout the State. For many, it is a way of life.
Recognising the importance of the industry’s community-level, grassroots base was a critical starting point in developing the WA Motorsport Strategy.
Early on, it became clear that any work to develop the industry must be driven by those who live and breathe the sport.
While the successful development of the local industry has the potential to provide important jobs, tourism and other economic benefits to Western Australia, the initial focus must be firmly on the sector itself and its vision for the future.
To this end, it was determined that the first pillar of the strategy would be the establishment of an industry working group, representing all the major stakeholders who propel motorsport in WA. The State Government has an important role to play—not in leading motorsport’s development, but in empowering local participants, clubs and operators to take hold of their industry’s future.
It is recognised that infrastructure and track issues will dominate conversations about the industry’s needs, with the strategy calling for the creation of a framework to guide future investment in the State’s venues and facilities.
Best-practice regulatory guidelines to improve safety and governance must also be developed, and we will work to coordinate and improve pathways at the sport’s key venues.
Finally, the strategy calls for the creation of a dedicated events and tourism strategy to leverage the industry’s benefits and grow the sport beyond its dedicated base.
The State Government is committed to helping the industry implement these initiatives — with the ultimate goal of empowering WA motorsport to drive its own future.
Hon Mick Murray MLAMinister for Sport and Recreation
Motorsport holds a significant place in Western Australia’s sporting landscape, providing a recreational outlet for participants and fans, and an important contribution to the State’s economy, local jobs and the prosperity of a number of WA communities.
WA motorsport is primarily industry-driven by a passionate and enthusiastic motorsports sector which includes participants, clubs, user groups, commercial businesses, track operators, track owners, events providers, other professional teams, and allied industries.
The three main regulatory bodies involved in developing bitumen-based motorsport in WA are the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Ltd (CAMS), the Australian National Drag Racing Association Inc. (ANDRA) and Motorcycling Australia Ltd (MA).
The State Government provides some funding assistance to motorsport, but does not play a regulatory role in the industry. In a small number of cases, it owns the land on which motorsport facilities are located, though local government has a more significant presence in this space.
The WA Motorsport Strategy (the Strategy) has been developed in consultation with the motorsports industry, bitumen based motorsport facility operators, and other key motorsports stakeholders to assist with the ongoing development of a successful motorsport industry in WA.
It provides initiatives to meet motorsport’s current and anticipated future requirements and address risks raised by the industry.
The Strategy provides a framework for the motorsport industry to safely and sustainably develop the sport in order to benefit the industry and the wider Western Australian community.
The motorsport industry and State Government aim to:
It is recommended that a representative industry working group be established to lead the development of motorsport in WA. The working group would be an advocacy group to represent the interests of motorsport to government, investors and other stakeholders. It is not intended to be a decision-making body.
The proposed working group’s terms of reference would clearly define its roles and responsibilities. The terms of reference are likely to require the working group to:
The membership of the proposed working group would include representatives of industry andorganisations responsible for the development, operation and safety of the sport.
Additional members could be invited into the working group as required—for example, localgovernments with motorsport infrastructure within their boundaries (City of Wanneroo, City ofKwinana, Shire of Collie and potentially, the City of Albany and Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale) andother bitumen-based race track operators endorsed by the working group.
It is proposed that, initially, the State Government (through the Department of Local Government,Sport and Cultural Industries) would facilitate the establishment of the working group. The departmentwould assist in the development of the terms of reference and the identification and appointment ofmembers.
The industry would take carriage of the working group in 2020.
The representative industry working group should develop best practice guidelines for the broadermotorsport industry, including owners, venue operators, governing bodies, licensing and sanctioningbodies, and race operators, in relation to:
It is proposed that, where a venue is subject to a lease between a local government and venueoperator, the lease should include clauses that address:
The appropriate level of infrastructure and activities at a given site should be identified through thedevelopment of master plans.
Master plans should be prepared for each site and incorporate environmental, heritage, watermanagement and traffic management requirements.
It is proposed that areas for motorsport use and development of motorsport activities be locatedwithin an appropriate buffer zone and protected from encroachment from incompatible land uses.
For each of the sites in Table 1, consideration should be given to the listed infrastructure, potentially ina staged development process.
It is recommended that, in consultation with venue operators, the representative industry working group should take responsibility for the development and implementation of motorsport pathways within key venues.
An events strategy for motorsport, aligned to WA’s broader tourism and sport strategies, should be developed to facilitate ongoing development of the industry.
It is proposed that the working group and other stakeholders work collaboratively on the development of an events strategy for motorsport which focuses on:
The successful implementation of the Strategy depends upon support and commitment from the State Government — through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries — and the motorsport industry, including participants, officials and non-participating club members.