Mount Isa Campdraft Association president Peter Hacon said some competitors travelled from the Northern Territory, Victoria and Warwick to compete. 

It was “surreal” the campdraft was happening after more than two years of preparation which started after the State Government funded $100,000 through the Get Playing Grant. 

The campdraft is built on the old Lagoon Park speedway in Bendall Drive. 

Members of the community had donated much time and expense to make sure the campdraft was returned to Mount Isa. 

The campdraft was held annually at the old Kalkadoon grounds but stopped with the closure in 2007. 

Mr Hacon said 300 tonnes of steel and tyres were removed from the area, and 1200 tonnes of screened sand and 15,000 litres of fuel were donated while the grounds were developed. 

Mount Isa City Councillor Kim Coghlan said Buchanan Park was not suited as a campdraft because of its proximity to the central business district.

Dust and a large number of cattle would be a concern in a residential area. 

She praised the contributions of the community which made the campdraft possible, which was needed in Mount Isa. 

“What they have done out there is amazing,” Councillor Coghlan said. 

“It just goes to show what a small band of people can do. 

“They have set their hand to it and have gone so gung-ho.” Campdraft competitor Ken Ford, from Tennant Creek, said he was pleased the Mount Isa campdraft was returned because it was close to the Northern Territory. 

“We do not get many in the territory so it is close to us,” he said. 

“The committee put a lot of effort in to put it on so we wanted to come support them.”