Black Rock on track for motorsport thrills
Published on 19 December 2024
Construction on the landmark Black Rock Motor Resort has hit top gear, with the entire international-standard track corridor now cleared and ready for construction.
Managing Director Tony Palmer said on Thursday all site preparation works were complete, along with the 5.4km track’s design and engineering.
“We’re ready to get stuck into construction of the track in the new year, which marks a really exciting phase of this project,” he said.
“It’s hard to put into words how exciting it is to see the heavy machinery onsite and everything moving so quickly.”
“We’re on track to have Stage One, including the track itself, go karts, a skid pan, pit lane area, café and the first stage of the Black Rock Village and members’ lodge, open by June 2026, so the next 18 months will no doubt fly by.”
Mr Palmer said he was “thrilled” about the progress of the build, and by all the national and international interest received since the project’s March sod turn.
Lake Macquarie Deputy Mayor Jack Antcliff said the $95 million Black Rock Motor Resort demonstrated the vast potential to reuse former mine sites in innovative ways.
“It has been a long road to get to this point but we are just as excited as Mr Palmer to see things moving ahead so far since the sod turn in March,” he said.
“This facility will be an enormous boost for Lake Macquarie, generating jobs and flow-on revenue from the motorsport enthusiasts who will converge on our city from across Australia and abroad.”
During Thursday’s site tour, Mr Palmer announced a new sponsorship deal between Black Rock Motor Resort and two-time Dakar Rally-winner Toby Price.
The champion motorcyclist is aiming to win the 2025 rally on four wheels for the first time, in a vehicle sporting Black Rock livery.
“We're proud to support a world class Aussie athlete taking on such a monumental challenge on the world stage,” Mr Palmer said.
“Toby's support of our mission to build Black Rock is based on a deep mutual respect for having an almighty crack at the seemingly impossible.”
Mr Palmer said Black Rock had also signed an agreement with construction materials company Boral to provide low-carbon concrete, asphalt and natural and recycled aggregate for the track’s base.
“Partnering with Boral gives us confidence we can deliver this project to the highest possible standard while remaining committed to doing it as sustainably as possible,” Mr Palmer said.
Hotel and cabin accommodation construction is expected to begin once Stage One is complete, with the entire facility operational by June 2027.