An application to build a go-kart track at the former Alec Lamberton soccer field at Kelso has hit a brick wall because of noise concerns.
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Bathurst Regional Council is now working with the Bathurst Kart Club to find a more suitable location.
There are several venues under consideration where noise is less of a problem than it was at the soccer field, which backs onto The Scots School and a residential area.
The proposed track could host up to 12 race meetings a year.
A spokesperson for Bathurst Regional Council said a period of community consultation will begin after race week.
The initial development was dealt with under delegated authority.
It was determined there was insufficient information regarding the noise impact of the development to give consent to its construction.
Once a suitable location can be found, the Bathurst Kart Club will be required to submit a new development application.
The karting proposal at Alec Lamberton field met with considerable opposition from residents on the White Rock Road.
Eight submissions were received while the development application was on public exhibition.
The 4.5-hectare site under consideration, on the corner of Lee and Littlebourne streets, is council-owned land.
The type of facility proposed by the Bathurst Kart Club would include an 820-metre asphalt go- kart track which would be open to the public every day from 9am to 5pm.
The submission indicated there would be up to 12 race meetings a year, three or four of those to be run during school holidays.
Each meeting would feature between 80 and 100 competitors.
White Rock Road resident Edwald Lehner, who opposed the development, said he felt a location near Mount Panorama would be a much better option.
He felt noise pollution was a far bigger problem than claimed in the statement of environmental effects.
Mr Lehner said the impact of the continuous announcements on the public address system had not been taken into account, and he suggested councillors should attend a meeting at a go-kart facility before making a decision.
Councillor Jess Jennings also thought establishing the track at Mount Panorama was a good idea.
Cr Jennings said it seemed like common sense and good town planning to have all motor racing related activities at Mount Panorama, however, he said he understood members of the Bathurst Kart Club did not want to build their facility on the mountain.
“The second track development might take too long for them. I believe there are also commercial considerations,” Cr Jennings said.
He added that there would, however, be some prestige to be able to offer people the opportunity to race go-karts at Mount Panorama.
“When it comes to developing the second track at Mount Panorama, I believe it should have that facility built in,” Cr Jennings said.
“In the future this will be quite the sporting precinct. Anything that goes round in circles will be up there.
“From a planning perspective it would be good to have an area earmarked for all that kind of activity.”
