THE next step in a drag strip for Leeton has been taken, after Leeton Shire Council amended the purpose of the land intended to be the home of the facility at its November meeting last week.

The former garbage depot on Brobenah Hall Road is the intended site, with the “run-off” portion of the strip located on Brobenah Aerodrome Reserve.
Council approved adding public recreation to the reserve’s existing purpose of aviation.
Riverina Drag Racers’ Association (RDRA) president Carlo Luisi
was pleased with the decision and said while there has been interest from other places in the region to have the drag strip, it will be in Leeton.
“It’s a very good thing,” he said. “It’s a positive step.
“It’s great news.
“We’ve had a few nibbles from other places wanting it as well.
“They know what to expect and how popular it’s been, but we’re keen on having it in Leeton.”
Council recently approved a loan to help build the facility, on the proviso RDRA’s funding application of $170,000 through the federal government’s Regional Partnerships Program was successful.
Luisi said they should find out if the application has been approved early next year.
“There’s still another four to five weeks of waiting to go,” he said.
“They’re currently in caretaker mode because of the change of government. We were told 12 weeks a couple of months ago, so it’s only a little bit longer now.
“We’ve raised a fair bit ourselves, but now we’re playing the waiting game.”
RDRA has previously held its meets at Narrandera-Leeton Airport, but that is becoming increasingly difficult due to flight and runway clearance times, whereas a permanent strip in Leeton would be a boon for tourism and make holding two-day or twilight meets possible.