Mt Panorama race track in sacred site bid

Access to the top of the famous Mount Panorama race track in NSW could be restricted if an Indigenous sacred site application is granted.

The Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation wants to have McPhillamy Park made a state heritage site.

The Wiradyuri wants McPhillamy Park declared a sacred site after the ashes of a former member, Uncle Brian Grant, were scattered there in late 2022.

But the Bathurst Aboriginal Land Council, which was not informed, is critical of the bid, saying the person involved was not born or raised in the area.

Bathurst Regional Council general manager David Sherley told The Australian newspaper the heritage bid came as a surprise.

“Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation contacted council in November 2022 seeking access to the top of the mountain for a final goodbye ceremony,” he said.

The corporation has been described as a “fringe Indigenous group”, and was involved in a heritage protection push that prevented a gold mine project from going ahead.