Blacktown City Council has recently created a draft Strategic Vision, focusing on the Motor Sport and Automative Industry, titled the Blacktown Motor Sport Parklands. The Vision is to cluster motor industry and world class motor sport facilities together, in a quality environment.

Council's intention is to establish the precinct around the Eastern Creek Raceways and have it recognised as a cluster of automotive excellence internationally. Many of Sydney's Motor Sport businesses have already responded enthusiastically to Council's draft Vision.

Being developed in close association with private developer Investa Property Group, the first stage of the Precinct will provide business opportunities for motor sport businesses to co locate near World-Class motor sport facilities at Eastern Creek and other like-minded businesses related to motor sport.

Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly, OAM recently met with an icon of the motor sport industry, Norm Oakey, who for the past 30 years has run a well-known motor sport parts supply business; American Auto and Rare Spares, Homebush. Mr Oakey is a household name in Drag Racing circles and considered one of the Godfathers of the sport in Australia.

"The Parklands is an exciting initiative and a logical opportunity to promote the growth of our rapidly growing industry in Australia. I have seen my business grow in recent years with the resurgence on motor sport in Sydney, partly a result of the new facilities at Eastern Creek such as the Drag way", Mr Oakey said.

The Blacktown Motor Sport Parklands will also potentially see a range of new motor sport facilities come together, such as; an international speedway, a motor sport museum, a hotel, an international speedway, quad bike facilities, motor-cross and sprint rally, a motor mall (automotive sales) and a motor sport parkland. All of which will enhance the development of the Parklands as Australia's only genuine motor precinct.

"The Blacktown Motor Sport Parklands is an opportunity for the motor sport industries to come together and provide excellence within their sport. The Parklands will be good for business, great for competitions and an excellent opportunity for Blacktown City to become known as the home of motor sports in Australia", Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly, OAM said.

Being located at the centre of a hub for motor sport activity is an exciting prospect for companies like American Auto and Rare Spares who primarily deal with motor sport enthusiasts every day.

"Being in the precinct will put us right at the centre of the action. Australia has been waiting a long time for something like this to come along. It was a pleasure to meet Blacktown City's Mayor, Leo Kelly recently to discuss the Parklands and the many opportunities it will bring to not only our industry, but to the sport in general," said Mr Oakey.

Copies of the vision document can be found by visiting www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au Anyone who would like to obtain further information or would like to comment on Council's Motor Sport Parklands Vision should contact Council's Economic Development Officer on 9839 6000.