TWO radio-controlled car clubs are without tracks after Logan City Council deemed part of their facility “a safety risk”.
The Logan Off-Road Radio Controlled Car Club Inc and Logan City Radio Controlled Car Club Inc have been racing at Meakin Park in Slacks Creek for about two decades.
Now they fear their fun is coming to an end.
In 2004, the clubs built the first of two raised platforms that allowed drivers to overlook each of the two tracks – known as drivers’ stands – but haven’t been able to use them since the end of last year.
The facility’s lessor, the local council, said a routine inspection uncovered “serious concerns about the safety and long-term integrity” of the stands.
“The clubs’ elevated stands were not built or approved by council and are a significant safety risk,” a council spokesperson said.
“These stands are essential to their operations as drivers are required to view their vehicles from above. Both drivers’ stands are more than 15 years old. The inspection identified moderate to severe corrosion in both structures and concluded that they are structurally compromised and unsafe for use.”
The off-road club was of the understanding that council was responsible for maintaining the stands.
Nevertheless, the club has put forward numerous potential solutions since then – including building a new stand and refurbishing the existing one – but council knocked them back as they were not considered “cost-effective”.
Building a new stand would cost more than $200,000 and upgrading the current one would be about $100,000, according to the club.
“We can’t use the track, because you need to be able to use the stand to see the back of the track,” Logan Off-Road Radio Controlled Car Club treasurer Greg Austin said.
“A couple of us have been going down to the track, mowing it and trying to keep it in good condition for when we are able to use it again. But unfortunately, with the council, it looks like that isn’t going to happen.”
He said the club couldn’t afford to pay for upgrades, as they had gone eight months without any revenue due to the stand’s closure.
Previously, about 50 members of the club would meet at the track to race weekly. The venue was host to events like state titles, and attracted racers from other cities.
“Everyone loves going to the local track. We have people coming from the Gold Coast to race here,” Mr Austin said.
“Now we have to drive up to the Sunshine Coast or over to Pine Hills.”
A local racer said the “forced” closure of the club was extremely disappointing.
“… for myself and I’m sure others as this is one of my major social outlets outside of work and with it’s closure that has been taken away from me,” they said.
“I’ve been racing radio control cars for years, and as I have a physical disability I am not able to participate in all sports as you could imagine. Hence RC racing has been a big part of my life and there are no other 1/8th scale tracks local to me. I’m not in the position to be able to travel to north Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast regularly which makes the closure of Meakin Park even more disappointing.
“The fact the club has been under the impression in accordance to their lease that it’s the councils responsibility to upkeep the drivers stand maintenance makes it a tough pill to swallow.”
The council spokesperson said safety was a top priority and “all possible options for replacing the drivers’ stands are being thoroughly explored”.
“Council is committed to finding a sustainable solution that balances safety, budgetary constraints and broader community priorities.”
