The city of Goulburn is facing the loss of millions of dollars in revenue and job losses as a famous motor racing racetrack prepares to shut its doors.
The Wakefield Park Raceway at Tirrannaville will operate with current capacity for the last time on Wednesday.
The popular circuit, about 200 kilometres south-west of Sydney, announced on Monday it had lost its appeal against tighter noise restrictions.
Track owner Benalla Auto Club appealed the Goulburn Mulwaree Council's decision in the New South Wales Land and Environment Court (LEC).
It was a move that would ultimately see the 2.2-kilometre track shut the doors to amateur and professional racers, and would result in job losses for 10 full-time staff and about six casual staff members.
Wakefield Park Raceway director Bruce Robertson said the decision was "absolutely devastating."
The LEC handed down a judgement restricting the number of events at the Wakefield Park Raceway to 30 per year.
The restrictions are stricter than those the Goulburn Mulwaree Council placed on the track last year following complaints from neighbours in 2019.
The court found the council's rules were generous in comparison to state regulations.
But those conditions, according to Mr Robertson, were also "unworkable".
"We had nothing to lose by going to the Land and Environment Court," he said.
Mr Robertson said it was a loss for the racing industry and the surrounding community.
Closure has a ripple effect
Mayor Peter Walker has expressed regret over the fact the Benalla Auto Club suspended operations until it received clarity on what types of events could be held at the track.
There are differing opinions about how much money the track injects in the region, with estimates ranging from $8 million to $20 million annually.
Leading up to the decision, motor sport spectators were known to travel from across the country for the track's three to four-day events.
"Car enthusiasts do tend to live the high life, so they're booking out all the good motels, good restaurants," Mr Walker said.
"Councils work hard to attract business to the area.
"We've now got to, for a period of time, try to [find] other economic opportunities."
"[Benalla Auto Club] made the decision to take it to the Land and Environment Court and where we are is where we are now."
The club cannot appeal the court's decision.
A loss for at-risk kids
The Police Community Youth Club (PCYC) Canberra took over the track's cafe late last year as a training exercise for disadvantaged children.
In that time, more than a dozen kids were taught barista and hospitality skills while being paid award wages.
PCYC Canberra chief executive Cheryl O'Donnell said the cafe helped the youths to be workforce ready.
"Because they've got so much going on in the background, in their personal lives, and all the kids have suffered from severe trauma, it was a great opportunity for them to learn the skills and be put on a pathway to employment," Ms O'Donnell said.
"We've virtually had to go back and say, 'I'm sorry that was short-lived'. It's really upsetting because the kids love it, they're earning that income and we're breaking that welfare dependency cycle at the same time.
"It's totally distressing and disgraceful."
Ms O'Donnell had big plans for the old-style race-themed diner and has not lost hope.
While the auto club is working behind the scenes to sort things out, the maintenance team will keep the track race-ready and the PCYC will open the cafe doors again if it is possible.
"It's going to be a massive loss for Goulburn," Ms O'Donnell said.
The ABC has contacted the NSW Land and Environment Court.
