Borderline Speedway

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:27): For 67 years, the Borderline Speedway has been an iconic centrepiece of our community, offering exhilarating motor racing against a stunning backdrop of gum trees and grass banks. It is not just a racetrack, it is a vital engine for social connection and economic vitality. Today, however, it needs our support. Borderline Speedway is urgently seeking assistance to fund critical safety upgrades, including improvements to the fencing, track and lighting infrastructure.

This is not a luxury: it is a necessity. The current infrastructure was constructed over 40 years ago, and new national regulations from Speedway Australia require upgraded height and strength standards for track and spectator safety fences. Without these improvements, Borderline risks losing its rank as one of Australia's top six speedway venues in the whole of Australia. Losing this status would have devastating consequences for local tourism, business and race enthusiasts.

The estimated cost of these essential upgrades is $1.6 million, a modest investment compared with the immense value Borderline Speedway delivers to our economy, hosting premier events such as the Australian Sprintcar Championship, which it successfully did in 2018. It injected over $3 million into the local economy across just three nights of racing. That is real money supporting local hotels, restaurants, retailers and tourism operators. Looking ahead, Borderline has been awarded the 2026 Australian Sprintcar Championship, a golden opportunity to once again showcase our region to a national audience that brings millions of dollars into local businesses, but we must provide a facility that has the necessary safety requirements going forward.

Economic modelling by the RDA Limestone Coast clearly demonstrates the broader benefits of this project. The construction phase alone is estimated to generate $2.7 million in economic output, add nearly $925,000 in value across local industries and create jobs in sectors like construction, retail and services. These are not just numbers on a page, these are real opportunities for local families, apprentices and small businesses.

Importantly, 100 per cent of new jobs generated during the construction phase will be filled by Limestone Coast residents. This project, which strengthens our community from within, ensures that every dollar spent circulates locally and lifts our region. This is not simply a plea for funding, it is a call to recognise and invest in what makes regional South Australia thrive—community-driven initiatives that deliver long-term returns.

Investing in the Borderline Speedway is investing in regional developments, economic resilience and community wellbeing. The club is currently run by a dedicated group of volunteers, some of whom you will see at the track five or six days a week in race season, doing all they can to save vital club funds. This dedication has seen the club invest several hundred thousand dollars on upgrades and infrastructure over the past few years, demonstrating their commitment to provide a safe, modern and up-to-date facility.

Borderline Speedway is a unique asset. Few other facilities can claim to offer such high quality spectator experiences, attract national and international competitors, and deliver significant economic return to the local economy. It promotes recreation, sports, tourism, drives retail and trade, and provides young people with a pathway into motorsport. Most importantly, it unites our community by bringing people together.

Without support we risk not only losing national championship events but also diminishing a proud piece of regional identity. With a relatively small investment we can secure the Speedway's future, ensure the safety of competitors and spectators alike, and continue to deliver tangible economic and social benefits for decades to come. I urge the government to seize this opportunity, support the Borderline Speedway and, in doing so, stand up for regional South Australia's future.