Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128407
Big Changes For Phillip Island Linfox plans to sell all hotel rooms, with the resort holding appeal to lifestyle investors. Investors will not be able to use their investment as a principle place of residence. "Our vision is to create a world-class sporting, tourism and conference venue that complements the environment and showcases and preserves the spectacular scenery and landscape of Phillip Island," said Nicholls. "Phillip Island is an international track loved by bike riders and drivers the world over, but the facilities that surround the 4,45km line of intensely challenging are quickly bitumen T he Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit in Australia will take on a new look in the becoming quaint. We need future, with the island circuit set for reno- sources of the circuit and secure its financial future. to develop the income vation that will include a Greg Normandesigned golf course, as well as updates to the racetrack's facilities. Australian golfer Norman joined fivetime World Champion Mick Doohan, fovetime VB Supercar Champion Mark Skaife, and Andrew Nicholls, the general manager of Linfox Property Group, the owners of ing and resort venue on the site and secure the financial viability of the circuit through additional, year-round income streams, the $300 million plans include: Major upgrade and extension to event infrastructure. including the pit building and race control, the media center, television broadcast zone, a permanent Expo facility and paved parking; a go-kart track that will be a replica of the 2.75-mile Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit; a unique, cliff-top IB-hole golf course with coastal views, designed by straight, catering for 200 guests and boasting extensive circuit views to Bass Strait; two new water environments on the western boundary of the property and extensive revegetation of the property with the native heath that was destroyed when the area was cleared in the IB60s for farmland. Of the proposed development, the gokart track is due for completion by Christmas; a permit has been granted for the first stage of the hotel development; a planning application has been lodged for the golf wetlands. Scenically, the course we have envisioned has everything a golfer could wish for. It also has the unique proposition of being aligned to a world-renowned race circuit that regularly receives international round enjoyment. Next year, Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit celebrates its 50th year. The circuit has been embedded in the Phillip Island economy and community for half a century and now hosts events like the like this make resorts a major destination and inject millions into local economies and we believe we have all the ingredients here at the Island to ensure this is achieved." coming, critical mass will be lost and the circuit will shrink. These plans set the circuit's future and the hotel, golf course and villas are expected to generate further regional makes it extra special is the outlook, the location, and the views to the pounding blue ocean. But the time has more than new office to be ready in one to two years; benefit of between $30-50 million," added Nicholls, who also quoted estimates of 765 full time jobs created during the construction phase and over 500 full time jobs when in for the golf course to be completed in three operation. years; and for the accommodation to commence in two years and be built in stages over five years. The key to the expansion of the circuit is the Norman-designed golf course, that links The pit garages are designed for racing a decade ago, and technology has changed so rapidly that we need vastly improved facilities, more space and a big upgrade to the with the five-star resort hotel, the circuit's communication network." course and remaining accommodation; and plans are being finalized for the office, club The intention is for race facility upgrades to start next year and continue indefinitely; for the Summit Club corporate facility and 10 DECEMBER 7,2005 • CYCLE NEWS MotoGp, World Superbike and VB Supercar. on the world golfing and sporting map almost instantly. Golfers will travel from all over the globe to play here and if we can build a course with these six key coastal holes, we estimate 30,000 to 40,000 people will play this Phillip Island course annually. In other parts of the world, courses Norman, 5kaife and Doohan have all been appointed ambassadors of the circuit and have all worked closely on the plans. "Greg talks today about setting a golf course on the cliffs with the coastal strip, and that in part, is what really adds to the lure of the Island circuit," Doohan said. "Nothing beats the thrill of Lukey Heights, Southern Loop or Siberia or clocking 300ks plus going down the main straight, but what house built in three compact villages called Heath, Crest and Lakeside, that will be positioned between the golf course and the fitting a world-class sporting venue; a state- "Unique for Australia, this is truly a spectacular, cliff-top site designed with six coastal holes," said Norman. "It is bUilt on existing farmland, but with views and topography that include a mix of cliffs and coastline, bays and beaches, and living media coverage. The exposure it will tunities and provides new income flows, new audiences and a venue for yearround pursuits and year- and corporate facilities, entrance and other circuit upgrades. of-the-art permanent office, club and corporate facility at the end of the main and circuit. receive via motorsport will put the venue duces highly lucrative golf, business and resort oppor- Norman; a five star, resort hotel featuring I 175 rooms, a conference center and club- circuit; a complete makeover of the circuit entrance at gate one to ensure an entrance Skaife, local councilors and dignitaries, and media the views from the IBth hole south to Pyramid Rock and north to the hotel site ities needed to maintain and grow the circuit, intro- the circuit, to unveil their combined vision Designed to create a world-class sport- Norman visited the island to explain his vision for the course, and to show Doohan. Our plan provides the facil- for the future of the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit last week. international and national events and Phillip Island as a tourist destination. These events generate direct regional annual expenditure in excess of $33 million, and the activities of the circuit over the course of a year provide jobs for more than 600 people. "But the circuit needs to grow to survive. Otherwise the international events will stop come for a massive revamp of this place.