‘I just want to go to the speedway with my friends’: The long battle for Bunbury Speedway accessibility

More than a year ago, Peter Sears took the Bunbury Speedway to the Human Rights Commission over the lack of accessibility. Now, there is an audited report detailing more issues than he expected. Operated by the Bunbury Car Club, the Bunbury Speedway would be a place Mr Sears could enjoy. Having raced motorcycles in his youth — until an accident at 17 which left him with tetraplegia — he enjoys watching motorsports. However, it’s something he has to travel to Perth Motorplex to enjoy as he doesn’t fit in at his local venue. “I’m just a guy who had a motorcycle crash who likes motorsports,” he said. “All of a sudden, I’m dealing with the Human Rights Commission, and meeting the mayor and these influential people around the place. “I just want to go to the speedway with my friends.” Mr Sears was hoping to work with the Bunbury Car Club on accessible facilities, but said he had not received a response. He took the matter higher and as part of the settlement with the commission, a Perth-based auditor was paid to review the Bunbury Speedway venue, noting more issues than expected. “We were looking at getting some access and better toilet facilities,” Mr Sears said. “And now this independent auditor had come in, Pandora’s box is open and the only thing left is hope.” The report detailed findings including a lack of handrails, stairs being too high, fire safety equipment not being regularly serviced or maintained in line with legal requirements and non-compliant toilet and sanitary facilities. More recently, Mr Sears met with Bunbury Mayor Jaysen Miguel and City of Bunbury sustainable development director Andrew McRobert. Mr Miguel told the Times the city had no influence over the conduct of the Bunbury Car Club and the Bunbury Speedway. “It’s important to remember, the city owns the land on which the Bunbury Speedway is located, but any buildings are the responsibility of the lessee, and the city has no enforcement power,” he said. “The city provided support to Bunbury Car Club to undertake an accessibility audit last year, and we welcome those recommendations and know the club is doing what it can to action them and make improvements. “The report was commissioned by and provided to the Bunbury Car Club, it’s not a council report. It’s important to note that this is not a report I, or the council, has received. “We will always encourage and support local clubs and organisations when it comes to access and inclusion.” As part of a re-elected Labor government, Bunbury MLA Don Punch has pledged $750,000 for renovations to the speedway’s accessibility facilities and toilets, and a new canteen. Mr Punch said the venue’s accessibility issues were not unique for a venue of its age. “There are many, many facilities in Western Australia that have difficulties with accessibility because many of the facilities have been built historically over time,” he said. “The standards that have come into place are standards around new builds and redevelopments. “Every sporting association takes those standards very seriously, but to go back and retrofit every public facility is a huge job. That’s why we’re looking at progressively building, into all of the new redevelopments, accessibility. “Inclusion is incredibly important for people with lived experience of disability, but we have to progressively work on those challenges, building by building. “There are many issues in the report, there are some that are absolutely necessary and some that can maybe be deferred. These are issues for the Car Club in consultation with the accessibility committee that’s here in Bunbury. “We’re making the resources available. The Car Club is very committed, I know, to making this an enjoyable venue for everybody.” However, with previous experience as a builder, Mr Sears said the potential funding money wouldn’t equate to much. “I used to be in the building industry before I had my crash,” he said. “And even back then, $750,000 ... isn’t going to do a single bit difference to what they now need to do. “Nowadays, that’s not even a house. When you start paying builders and architects, that money’s gone.” Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum board chair Paul Stubber said the group had been advocating alongside Mr Sears. “It’s been really disappointing to think Peter has had to go to the Human Rights Commission to get some action,” he said. Mr Sears said he was fighting not just for himself but the wider community. “I’m just a guy who wanted a bit of accessibility and inclusion for some friends of mine who are in similar situations,” he said. “Whoever else is around the place, whether it’s a mum with a pram, or grandma or your dad with a bung knee, we just wanted to be able to go there and enjoy ourselves. “Bunbury has a chance to have a decent venue for everyone to enjoy in the whole South West. Bunbury has had world class events before, so imagine with a decent venue what they could have.” The Bunbury Car Club was contacted for comment.