Motocross proponent Shannon McCluskey made a presentation to concerned district people last week. He stressed that he and his partner Ebony were just a young couple with a passion for Motocross that they assert is a family sport and were chasing a dream. They are not big developers. Many objectors to their Development Application believe the facility would be a nightmare.

Two telling points raised from the floor were the objectives in the Local Environment Plan for RU2 (rural landscape) and the experience of a Goulburn couple who reside two kilometres from the Wakefield Park Raceway.

The objectives for RU2 are clearly for rural activities and the Motocross proposal clearly does not fall within the stated objectives. The Wakefield Park facility started in 1994 with very modest usage but is now a seven-day-a-week facility with long hours, the noise from which rattles the windows two kilometres away and has devalued adjacent land. This is the sort of development creep that the Lade Vale Road facility could experience.

Substantial damage

There was no lessening in opposition to the proposal with the following motion passed 65 to 8. “The meeting asks the Upper Lachlan Shire Council to reject DA 84/2014 because the proposed development would cause substantial damage to the rural character and the amenity of the neighbourhood in which this development is proposed.”

The meeting further agreed that a copy of this motion be forwarded to Council. It was noted that Council’s Planning Department had recommended that the original DA be refused. The deadline for objections is Thursday April 23.

Gunning remembers

The Gunning RSL Chapter and the Gunning & District Historical Society will present a display entitled “Gunning Remembers” in the Gunning Courthouse between April 25 and May 2, commemorating the district’s involvement on the Western Front and at Gallipoli.

The display will be opened by Mayor John Shaw at 11.30am following the Anzac commemoration Service. For further information, contact Dave Findlay (4845 8257) or Bernie Boyce (0414 714 562).

The historic truck event known as Haulin’ the Hume was on last weekend with nearly 300 trucks of all sizes and some Clipper buses winding their way along the Old Hume Highway and through the village of Gunning.

Some keen trucking tragics had staked out terrific viewing vantage points along the Cullerin like the Muscat gang. Tony Muscat of Muscat Haulage in Yass had the extended family in tow while his brother Charlie was along from Binalong.

People were lined up on the main street of Gunning to welcome the convoy. The truckies responded enthusiastically by revving their engines and giving their klaxons a bit of a workout! Donations were collected in Gunning and along the Haulin’ the Hume route for the Autism Spectrum organisation.

Information afternoon

If you or someone dear to you is interested in getting further information about the proposed Independent Living Complex in Gunning, please take the opportunity to come to the meeting on Saturday at the Gunning courthouse between 2 and 4pm. If you cannot make the meeting you could chat to one of the volunteer directors by phoning 4845 1809 or 0487 918 331.

Coming up

Monday April 20: Garden Club working bee near Post Office for Anzac Day.

Monday April 20: PA&I AGM is on at 7pm at the Courthouse, new members are welcome.

Saturday April 25: 5.45am and 11am Anzac ceremonies at Gunning Cenotaph.

April 25 and 26: Gundaroo Historical Society War History Exhibition at Memorial Hall.

Sunday May 3: 10am–4pm Collector Village Pumpkin Festival – see Facebook.

Sunday May 3: Anzac Tribune Concert on at 2pm at the Courthouse.