Frankston Motorcycle Park Lease

[Noel Tudball]

Safety first priority at Frankston Motorcycle Park

Thursday 30 April 2015

Council has resolved not to renew its lease with the Frankston Motorcycle Club, which will see their tenancy at the Seaford venue terminate on 28 May 2015.

“Council resolved to take action to ensure the safety and management of the facilities, to prevent any future tragedies, such as the death of a recreational motorcyclist earlier this month,” said Frankston City Deputy Mayor, Cr Glenn Aitken.

Council has asked Motorcycling Victoria to manage the venue as a ‘Recreational Track’ for 12 months and both parties will work towards reopening the basic and intermediate courses on the track as soon as Motorcycling Victoria takes possession of the site. This is scheduled to be after the current lease expires on 28 May, but may be earlier if the Motorcycling Club grant earlier access.

Whilst Motorcycling Victoria has historically only involved themselves with event/competition venues, they have agreed to work with Council to ensure the track meets the Frankston community’s recreational needs and all safety standards.

A Transition Committee will be established to develop a long-term management plan for the Motorcycle Park, to oversee the management of the venue for the next 12 months and to provide support and direction to Motorcycling Victoria about the safety of operations.

The Transition Committee will be chaired by the Deputy Mayor Cr Glenn Aitken, and will include Cr Colin Hampton, a representative from Motorcycling Victoria, Council Officers and motorcycling industry experts. ‘Expressions of Interest’ to appoint motorcycling experts is likely to be advertised on Council’s website shortly.

The Transition Committee will present all reports and findings regarding the Frankston Motorcycle Park to Councillor Briefings. Council Reports will also be submitted where required.

“Frankston City Council is dedicated to ensuring and maintaining that its recreational facilities are safe in accordance with regulatory standards,” said Cr Aitken.

Council will be working with Motorcycling Victoria and the Frankston Motorcycle Club to ensure the track is re-opened as soon as possible. Further updates will be provided shortly.

Source:
http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Your_Council/Media_and_Publications/Latest_News/Safety_first_priority_at_Frankston_Motorcycle_Park

[Noel Tudball]

Frankston Motorcycle Park on track to re-open in October

Wednesday 9 September 2015

The Transition Committee for the Frankston Motorcycle Park - which includes members of Council and Frankston City Motor Cycle Park Incorporated (the club) – is on schedule to re-open the park in mid-October.

Council has approved a new management model for the park, while the club is this weekend hosting a meeting of its members to discuss the details. Once the club is ready to commit, the agreement will be officially signed and a specific re-opening date announced.

Under the management model, Council will lease the facility to the club, who will operate the facility under an affiliation with Motorcycling Victoria (MV), which will see club members covered by MV’s insurance policy. The lease will be for 11 months, reviewed monthly.

“The club will manage the fees and memberships at the motorcycle park and we look forward to them announcing further detail on this in the coming weeks,” said Deputy Mayor Aitken, Chair of the Transition Committee.

“With the required works on the track completed, we are on track to reopen the Frankston Motorcycle Park in October.

“We believe this management model will be effective. With the required changes being implemented by the club, we look forward to signing a long-term lease agreement which will see the club take back full control of the facility.”

Councillor Aitken also paid special tribute to the Motorcycle Club members of the Transition Committee, for their cooperation and the significant amount of time they have spent meeting with Council to arrive at an outcome.

“I would like to congratulate the representatives of the club and Motorcycling Victoria for the way they have worked with Council through this difficult but necessary process,” he said.

The Transition Committee will continue work over the next few weeks, to prepare for the park’s reopening.

Source:
http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Your_Co ... in_October

Park back on track.jpg (166.89 KiB) Viewed 12204 times

[Noel Tudball]

Motorcycle park reopens for riders


THE Frankston Motorcycle Park is open to motocross riders again. The gates were opened up again for access to the tracks this month.

Frankston Council, the Frankston City Motorcycle Park Club and Motorcycling Victoria agreed that MV should oversee the park’s operations for an 11-month trial period, starting this month, after the death of 25-year-old Danny Edlington in a collision on the main track in April.

The motorcycle park was shut down by council, as landlord of the premises, for several months until agreement on the future running of the facility could be reached.

Motorcycling Victoria CEO Wayne Holdsworth said the body had “developed a good relationship” with council and the club committee members.

“Whilst we don’t have the level of experience that the Frankston City Motorcycle Park Club have in managing such a facility we do still have significant experience in this space and feel suitably qualified to provide more than adequate processes and programs to see the park develop and run with an improved safety and efficiency,” Mr Holdsworth said in a statement issued last week.

“Subsequent to the dreadful accident that occurred over Easter 2015, MV were contacted by Frankston Council to guide them on what the next steps should be and what we felt was the best outcome for all.”

Mr Holdsworth hit out at “keyboard warriors” who criticised MV during the protracted negotiations to reopen the park.

“Just for the record, the social media posts had no influence whatsoever in MV’s decision to guide the parties through this situation. Genuine, responsible and respectful representation and discussions by people do, however, make a difference.”

He noted: “Whilst we understand that the governance that is now in place at the facility seems to some as draconian, this is our only means to mitigate the risk attached to this sport. We make no apology for trying to make this sport as safe as we can consider the risk associated with it.”

The MV chief thanked club president Ralph Ridley and committee member Paul Finley for their “outstanding” work over the past few months to have the park reopened.

See http://www.fcmp.net.au for motorcycle park opening times, membership and fees.

Source:
http://baysidenews.com.au/2015/11/30/motorcycle-park-reopens-for-riders/

[Noel Tudball]

UPDATE: 7 May 2018 - still closed:

"Hi Everyone!

Just to let you know where the club is stands at the moment;

- Motorcycling Victoria have supplied Frankston City Council with all reports and information to have us re opened.
- Police have finalised their investigation which has now been handed over to the coroner.
- All information has been supplied to Frankston City Council whom have stated they are awaiting the coroners report.

As we await a decision from Frankston City Council on when the club can re open, the committee would like to thank all who have stood by the club and continue to support us as a community run volunteer group during such a hard time for all involved. It is great to know how much this club means to so many people.

Once we have any more information, we will make another post to keep you in the loop."
Source: https://www.facebook.com/FCMPMX/posts/2403602266398600