Absolutely no environmental issues, there are plenty of false rumours going round though - all BS. No housing developments either - more BS. Its zoned farmland, 100 acre minimum lots. That wont change for a long time as that legislation was passed only 2 years ago.
Noise was an issue in relation to MA's future plans - that's why the VCAT ruled no - because it would have been too much noise. That's why MA is getting out, because they couldn't develop it further. There never was any judicial ruling to close it, people dont seem to realise that.
Trouble is no-one bothered to take up the alternative option offered by the VCAT tribunal, which was that the venue should return to being a club level facility. Its is all in the VCAT findings on their website if anyone is interested. The VCAT also said that MA should have provided more thorough noise testing data as evidence to support ongoing motorcycling activities, but as MA decided it was easier to sell than fight, the case did not progress any further.
Since then the Sporting MCC has investigated how to mitigate noise; the club recently commissioned acoustic consultants to measure noise from certain events and collect data, that data backs up our claim that noise levels could be kept to lawful levels.
So noise is not an issue, its just the people spreading the white noise BS that makes it hard for the average joe bloe to understand.
The equation is simple - 1. the land is up for grabs, 2. we hold existing use rights for motorcycling, 3. and the law is in our favour re settling the neighbours concerns over noise.
Never again will an opportunity like this present itself.