SOMERSET Regional Council has adopted the Kilcoy Motorcycle Club Inc. Land Management Plan (LMP) and will enter a new two-year lease with the club for the recreational reserve site on Neurum Road, Glenfern.

Councillors approved the new lease agreement on Wednesday, 30 October, with the option to extend the lease a further three years.

The decision was informed through community consultation in August and September through a ‘have your say’ survey over the LMP.

Council received 462 responses to the survey, of which 98% supported the LMP.

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt thanked the community for sharing their views.

“Survey respondents proved the Kilcoy Motorcycle Club was a valuable asset to the region,” Cr Wendt said.

“Frequent themes included the Kilcoy Motorcycle Club’s support to the community and businesses, the family-friendly atmosphere and the safe and controlled environment it provided for people competing and developing their riding skills.

“Inclusive outdoor activities like motocross are good for the community’s physical and mental health and can divert people away from anti-social behaviour.

“We acknowledge not everyone supported the use of this site, but on a balance of factors we feel working with the club and supporting the growth of motocross is in the broader interests of the community.”

With around 700 members, KMC is one of the largest motocross clubs in Australia.

Cr Wendt said the club and the sport were facing pressures in recent years following the closure of the Tivoli and Coolum motocross facilities.

“The Kilcoy club has been operating at capacity and will require a long-term solution, such as additional regional facilities or relocation,” Cr Wendt said.

“A significant proportion of Kilcoy Motorcycle Club members reside in the City of Moreton Bay, so our Council officers have made representations to our neighbouring council into research for a similar facility to be developed to support the growing motocross community.

“Somerset Council will make representations to Council of Mayors South East Queensland regarding a regional fit-for-purpose motorcycling facility in the northern area of SEQ.”

The City of Moreton Bay have provided in-principle support for a motion to be put forward to COMSEQ for such a proposal.