After the farm of the world champion motorbike racer Daniel “Chucky” Sanders was forced to cease commercial motorbike races, the Star Mail published articles covering all bases of the issue.
The coverage in September was well researched and received article of the month for September.
Initially, the Yarra Ranges Council rejected over 40 years of evidence from the Sanders Apple Farm in Three Bridges after the family attempted to apply for existing use rights to hold commercial motorbike races.
As the farm is zoned for agricultural use, the council argued it wasn’t eligible to hold commercial motorbike races, even though the farm has done so since 1982.
Yarra Ranges mayor Cr Jim Child said in a statement the types of evidence provided weren’t varied enough and therefore didn’t meet the criteria for existing use rights.
In response, the Sanders family sought to appeal the decision in VCAT as it allowed for a wider range of evidence such as testimonials.
State controlling body Motorcycling Victoria, along with major clubs Motorcycle Racing Club Victoria (MCRCV) and Diamond Valley Motorcycle Club (DVMCC) expressed their support for the Three Bridges farm.
Read the rest here: upperyarra.mailcommunity.com.au/news/2025-09-06/motorcycle-clubs-offer-full-throttle-support-for-sanders-apple-farm/
