Plans for Lakeside
by Glenn Roberts

Plans for the former Lakeside International Racewayare on track after Pine Rivers Shire Council invited seven of the 11 interested parties to submit business proposals this week for the management and development of the 40yo icon.

The council sought expressions of interest for the former raceway late last year when the Planning and Environment Court gave the go-ahead to explore options for thesiteafter long talks around an application for its listing on Queensland's Heritage Register.

Pine Rivers Mayor Yvonne Chapman, pictured, said the council was excitedby some of the prospects presented by the interested groups, which encompassed a range of activities including motoised sport, driver training, youth programs, outdoor sport and recreation as well as tourism development.

"The potential for Lakeside is enormous and council will be looking at options that gain the best outcome economically for the community," Cr Chapman said.

"This is our chance to once again turn Lakeside into a majordrawcard for Pine Rivers - the flow-on effects would be significant."

Cr Chapman said while the council would be looking at the economic benefits, it would also consider community access to sport and recreation opportunities at the site.

"We have been keen to turn Lakeside into a multi-purpose facility offering a number of uses for residents and visitors," she said

"Council would prefer a consortium of parties to offer an innovative, multipurpose solution for the recreation of activity at the site."

Parties invited to submit business proposals are: Total Driver Pty Ltd; RACQ; YMCA Brisbane; Willowbank Race Circuit Pty Ltd; Motorcycling Queensland/Motorcycling Australia; Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association; and the Juniper Development Group.

Cr Chapman said the proposals would need to address the council's heritage and environment obligations.

She said the council was hoping to have an arrangement in place by September.