‘Combative’ motocross issue rolls on

• Published date: 04 November 2021
• Publication title: Clutha Leader

The Clutha District Council met in Balclutha last Thursday to discuss amendments to the Lawrence-Tuapeka reserve management plan, some of which will address complaints about noise from a community motocross track in Wetherstons Gully.

The track, overseen by the Lawrence Bike Club, sits on the council-owned Tuapeka Recreation Reserve.

In late July, the complaints were met with a vocal reaction by supporters of the track, after they became public in consultation on the draft plan.

At a September 16 council meeting to hear submissions to the plan, councillors and residents spoke of friction that had arisen in the community as a result of the situation.

Cr Mel Foster, of the Lawrence-Tuapeka ward, excused herself from the discussions at that meeting due, she said, to a perceived conflict of interest.

‘‘A battle line appears to have been drawn, and a combative approach has been adopted,’’ she said at the time.

During last week’s meeting, Cr Foster clarified her position.

Despite rumours to the contrary, she had never filed a noise complaint herself, she said.

‘‘I’ve never lodged a complaint about the track. I live in the general vicinity, but we’re up a gully, and the noise is never more than a low buzz, which is fine.

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