Cr Doukas was the only one of six Moyne shire councillors to vote in favour of granting a planning permit for the construction of a drag racing track at the former Koroit racecourse.

The Warrnambool and District Drag Racing Association made the application, with the council’s planning staff recommending the permit be granted.

The 5-1 vote against has left the drag racing association shattered and Cr Doukas ruing a lost opportunity for Koroit.

“As a group of councillors there was a lot of discussion about this and I thought everyone seemed pretty happy about it,” Cr Doukas said.

“It is not only disappointing for the work done by the drag racing association but also for Koroit. 

“They talk about it stifling development to the north of Koroit but it has never been intended that the town go north. There is plenty of space still to fill in the town boundaries.

“I know a lot businesses in Koroit were very supportive of the track getting built.

“You think about it. There was the potential to have six meetings a year at the track with 200 people at each. These people have to eat and drink somewhere and Koroit is the nearest place.

“Supporting clubs, community groups and schools all go to businesses looking for sponsorship and the businesses help wherever they can. 

“But then an opportunity like this to help the economy of the town is passed up. It doesn’t make any sense.

“Businesses need these opportunities so they can support the community.” 

Cr Doukas said while the bid was for the track to be used for the sole purpose of drag racing, he could see more uses into the future.

“Who knows, it might have been a great place to be used for a driver training facility for somewhere like Murray Goulburn,” Cr Doukas said.

The drag racing club currently hosts its meetings at the Warrnambool Airport facility.