Officials at a popular motorcycle club are optimistic they can find a new home for its riders, with their lease to expire on 20 hectares of industrial land later this year.
The Suncoast Junior Motorcycle Club and the acclaimed Coolum Pines facility have hosted some of the biggest moto races in the country, including the MX Nationals, during the past 23 years.
But they have fallen victim to the Sunshine Coast’s industrial boom and the venue’s three tracks are set to be ripped up to make way for more businesses in the popular Coolum Eco Industrial Park.
Club secretary Carly Holliday was optimistic they could settle on a new place to race. The club planned to put forward a proposal to Sunshine Coast Council for the move.
“We do have some land in mind, but it really comes down to council (approval) and then trying to get government grants to help us with the relocation,” she said.
“We need to now put forward a proposal to the council so they can essentially let us move there (and sort) things like permits and zoning for sport and rec, before it can all move ahead.”
Ms Holliday did not disclose where the preferred land was but said “it is on the Sunshine Coast”.
“It has similar sand to where we are now and it’s slightly bigger than where we are now,” she said.
She said relocation would be a costly exercise.
“It’s going to cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars to get set up,” she said.
“There’s the irrigation, fencing, a toilet block and canteen.
“We’re pretty much starting from scratch, so as much funding as we can get from the government the better.”
She said there were promising signs.
“It’s all moving in the right direction. It just comes down to having those meetings with the council and then applying for the government funding,” she said.
“It takes some time to turn it all around.”
Read more about the club’s history and its imminent closure.
She said there were no other places for local riders to race, except for Coolum Pines.
“Not on the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
Economic Development Queensland advised the club last year that its lease would not be renewed past December this year, amid a surge in business development.
A spokesperson for the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning told Sunshine Coast News in August that the region was experiencing “significant demand for industrial land to support its growth”.
EDQ settled the sale of 23 lots on the Coast, creating around 640 jobs, in the 2021-22 financial year.
“(There is) a substantial program of work underway across southeast Queensland to ensure there is adequate land supply, including on the Sunshine Coast, supporting business growth and investment and job opportunities,” the spokesperson said.
Going out with a bang
The club plans to cap its time at the venue in style, with a string of significant events.
It will host the opening round of the Sunshine State Motocross Series on February 18 and 19 and the Queensland Championships and the final round of the ProMX (Australian Motocross Championship) later this year, before the venue’s gates close for the last time.
Club president Matt Holiday said the events were fitting finales.
“While it is sad that we will be closing this venue down at the end of the year, we are excited to bring three major events to Coolum in our final year and showcase just how good the venue, club, and track facilities are,” he said via a club press release.
“Our members and supporters are gearing up for a final massive year and we urge local businesses and spectators to get behind us in what will be a huge celebration of the iconic venue.”
The venue has one of the best motocross tracks (a testing 1.68km dirt circuit), a supercross track and a junior track.
“Coolum Pines MX has been a breeding ground for all levels of riders over the years, with kids as young as four starting on a dirt bike for the very first time to the most experienced of professional riders taking on a track that demands respect,” Mr Holliday said.
“The venue has provided a safe, friendly and controlled environment for all dirt bike riders and is an essential venue in the community in keeping riders off the streets and a place where they can ride.”
The club and the venue were formed via a social group that took part in general rides in the Kawana area decades ago.
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