Speedway under threat says promoter

By AINSLEY THOMSON and BERNARD ORSMAN

The company behind Western Springs Speedway says it is concerned about the future of the 75-year-old circuit, despite Auckland City Council assurances it is only being reviewed, not closed down.

The council yesterday worked to quell speculation it was planning to move the speedway, but deputy mayor Bruce Hucker said he would not rule out a move in future.

A review of the use of council parks and open space by "noisy sports" - such as speedway, go-karts and model planes - would be done to see if they were more suited to less developed areas of Auckland.

When pressed, Dr Hucker said the review could include an option to move the speedway but was adamant it was not the main reason for it.

Springs Promotion, the company contracted by the council to run the speedway, said it had made a long- term investment - close to $1 million - in the facility and hoped it had not been a waste of money.

General manager David Stewart said he was "completely shocked" when he heard the council was reviewing the speedway, but he understood it would not be closed.

"I am concerned. I am always concerned when this sort of thing comes up because I know there are issues."

The firm has a three-year agreement with the council to promote the speedway. The agreement expires next year, but the company has a right of renewal for three more years.

This year, the Springs Stadium Residents' Association was set up by residents frustrated by the noise from the speedway.

The association has more than 400 members.

Spokeswoman Kim Farr said the association was thrilled the council was reviewing the speedway.

Ms Farr, who has lived in Old Mill Rd, which backs on to the speedway, for the past nine years, said the past three speedway seasons had been the worst.

"We have records for the past 12 years which show [the restrictions on] noise levels have been constantly exceeded."

A $125,000 noise-monitoring system has been installed by the council to make sure speedway noise levels do not rise above 85 decibels.

Mr Stewart said Springs Promotions, which took over the venue nearly three years ago, had focused on ensuring noise and timing restrictions were strictly adhered to.

Dr Hucker, a councillor for Western Bays, which includes Western Springs, refused to express a personal opinion about the speedway.

Mayor Dick Hubbard said he was happy with the structure of the committee that flagged the review.

He said Dr Hucker and his City Vision-Labour colleagues, with nine of the 20 votes on the council, could not dictate council policy through the committees.