A CONTROVERSIAL proposal for funding for a motor sport complex in Mount Isa will be resubmitted in the upcoming round of Royalties for Regions by Mount Isa City Council.
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With the next round of Queensland Government's Royalties for Regions submissions open in June, council remained divided on the proposal for a multi-million dollar motor sport complex proposal but last week voted in favour of resubmitting the application.
The motor sport complex was originally declined for funding in November 2012.
Deputy Mayor Brett Peterson admitted it was a contentious issue but suggested the complex be taken to town planning for a feasibility study before the next round of Royalties for Regions.
"Not all the councillors voted for it, it was not a majority rule," Cr Peterson said.
Councillors Jean Ferris and George Fortune questioned the proposal's merits after being unsuccessful in the first round.
Councillor Kim Coghlan said she was not happy with the original proposal but had since received positive feedback.
"I did not like this project when it first went in, I'm not into motor sports, it's not part of my portfolio, but the feedback I got back from a lot of members of the public was that this was a definite plus for Mount Isa," she said.
On his recent visit to Mount Isa, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman spoke of the unsuccessful application and said the majority of approved projects were for infrastructure and mine projects.
"I don't want to cut across council because at the end of the day it's their call what they applied for but the primary thing there is roads and community and social infrastructure which is where that would have fit in, and it's really got to be looked at as competing against all these other areas," Mr Newman said.
In March this year, resources communities in the Western Downs and Maranoa regions were awarded a cash injection of almost $20 million for roads, sewerage and flood mitigation projects under the Royalties for Regions program.
But Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady has defended the councils decision to pursue the motor sport proposal ahead of road or sewerage applications.
"People say you should be doing roads and sewerage but that's all part and parcel of what local councils are about," he said.
"Councils have a duty to provide sewerage and this is a sweetener. If we are successful in this, I believe it will go a long way to make this a more livable city."