Govt faces Repco Rally backlash

Repco Rally opponents took to the streets of Murwillumbah last Thursday to stage a Rally Against the Rally, as the NSW Government debates whether to pass special legislation to ensure the rally proceeds.

Poll

Who should decide if the Repco Rally goes ahead?

This poll ended on 30 June 2009.

State Government

25%

Local Government

30%

Community members

45%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

LOCAL councils are calling on the State Government to put the brakes on legislation which, if passed, would let the Repco Rally go ahead without getting council approval.

Kyogle Council general manager Arthur Piggott, in Sydney for the NSW Local Government and Shires Association conference, will discuss the proposed legislation with State Lismore MP Thomas George today.

Mr George has called for an emergency meeting between the councils and State Development Minister Ian Macdonald to discuss the legislation.

Mr George said the Kyogle Council had voiced disappointment with the planned legislation and was concerned it would not get a say on the event.

“Their concerns are the community's concerns,” he said. “They must be included in the legislation.”

Mr George said the legislation would have to be voted on before the Parliament went into recess on June 26.

Kyogle mayor Ross Brown said the council had been left outside the process.

“We want to see a draft of the legislation,” Cr Brown said. “We want to have input into the legislation.”

The Repco Rally is part of the French-based FIA's world championship.

Max Mosley, president of the FIA, wrote to the NSW Government seeking an assurance the event would go ahead, rally chairman Garry Connelly said. The Government, through Events NSW, is a major sponsor of the rally.

Mr Connelly said, had the rally been required to submit a development application, he was confident it would have been robust.

However, Mr Connelly said time had become an issue.

“It would have been tight,” he said.

Tweed Shire Council mayor Joan van Lieshout was expected to meet the Minister in Sydney yesterday.

A spokesperson for the council said the general manager, Mike Rayner, who is a member of the rally organising committee, would not be involved in the discussions.

“It would be a conflict of interest,” she said.

On Sunday, anti-rally groups held emergency meetings at Barkers Vale and Uki to discuss the proposed legislation.