Victorian Government Grants $1M Funding for Winton Resurface Project
The Victorian State Government will contribute $1 million in funding for Winton Motor Raceway’s ‘On Track for the Future’ project.
The funding was announced to day by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes on behalf of Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford.
The project will consist of major upgrades and safety improvements, including a full resurface of the 3.0 kilometre venue, bringing it in line with the latest Federation Internationale De L’Automobile (FIA), Confederation of Australian Motor Sports Ltd (CAMS), Motorcycling Australia
(MC) and Australian Auto‐Sport Alliance (AASA) standards.
During the construction phase, the project is expected to inject $3.35 million into the local economy and create more than 25 jobs.
Once operational, the government investment will contribute to the creation of well over 50 jobs, and an estimated increase in patronage of up to 40 per cent within five years, resulting in a $10 million per annum increase in tourism for the Benalla region.
Symes said the project will contribute significant benefits to the economy in North Eastern Victoria.
“This investment and track upgrade will ensure that Winton Motor Raceway remains country Victoria’s premier race venue and continues to host international events such as the V8 Supercars Championship and Australian Superbikes Championship,” Symes said.
“Having grown up in Benalla I know how important having a successful raceway is to the community, it fills our motels and restaurants and every race meet is a boost to the local economy.
“The Victorian Government is committed to putting country Victoria back at the heart of Victoria’s economic development.”
Benalla Auto Club Group CEO Chris Lewis-Williams said the upgrades to Winton were critical in ensuring the continuation of major events at the venue.
“The upgrades we will be conducting will include a full resurface of the track, using some of the most highly-regarded engineers and technology in the field,” Lewis-Williams said.
“The resurface works are not a cheap exercise, but they are vital to ensure we can continue to hold major national race meetings, such as the V8 Supercars Championship.
“One of the best things about the project is that the benefits will also be enjoyed by all the other patrons who use Winton, including those who race in the state and club-level race meetings that have been the foundation of the Benalla Auto Club for so many years.
“Today’s announcement displays the Victorian State Government’s recognition of Winton’s importance to regional Victoria, and a really strong endorsement of its continued growth and development.”
The project will commence immediately and is scheduled for completion in early February.
Winton Raceway’s major events calendar for 2016 will be announced early next week.
The V8 Supercars are scheduled to hit the track from May 20-22.
