THE next stage of the Mount Panorama-Wahluu revenue-raising campaign has been unveiled.
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After announcing an expression of interest period for advertising signage around the Mount, Bathurst Regional Council is now trying to lure more events to the precinct.
Deputy mayor Ben Fry said the second stream of the commercialisation plan "turns Mount Panorama into a bookable venue", with the council inviting people to hire premium spaces outside of the major event periods.
The spaces could be used for corporate hospitality, conferences, festivals, brand activations, film and photography, life events, advanced driver training, and motorsport and auto-tech uses.
The council is making the following facilities and spaces available for hire:
- Pit Complex: suites, meeting rooms and offices with media facilities and commercial kitchen support.
- Garages and technical bays: scrutineering enclosure; race control and timing areas for approved training and demonstrations.
- Inner and outer paddock hardstands: ideal for large-scale displays, expos and brand experiences.
- Designated trackside lawns and terraces: suited to temporary hospitality structures and VIP hosting.
- Campgrounds and amenities: for event overlay and visitor stays, subject to availability.
The council says a fully-implemented Mount Panorama-Wahluu commercialisation program, inclusive of leasing the advertising signage, could deliver in the order of $650,000 in revenue.
If fully leased, the council stands to make a minimum of $400,000 profit per year from the advertising signage, and it has set a conservative goal of $250,000 profit in 2026 from space hire.
Profits will bolster the council's general fund, which mayor Robert Taylor said is then used to support infrastructure and projects in the Bathurst community.
He has confidence that people will start hiring spaces at the mountain once they learn about all the possibilities.
"I feel the interest will be there once the word gets out that it is up for hire," Cr Taylor said.
"I think you'll find that corporates will be interested, people for weddings, motor sport enthusiasts, and you've also got the Rydges over the road for accommodation, so it's just the perfect spot."
Cr Fry reiterated that this is another way the council is addressing its finances without going down the path of a large rate rise.
"Council is putting shoulder to the wheel to ensure that we are commercialising this asset so that we're giving a good return to the community," he said.
"The revenue that's driven from Mount Panorama as a complex moving forward will be commercialised to a point that it provides a significant return back to its ratepayers.
"Every year, we know we spend about $4 million on this facility to keep it up to standard for motor sport; we make roughly $4 million in return, and it breaks even.
"Now is the time to get that extra cream on top to ensure we're re-delivering cash into the community and so that it's working for ratepayer infrastructure."
Making the most of major event
The space hire campaign was officially launched on Friday, October 10, 2025, which is day two of on-track action at the Bathurst 1000.
With so many motor sport identities and passionate fans in one place, the council will be working to raise awareness of the space hire and advertising opportunities at the mountain.
Staff are talking to racegoers who visit the council's marquee in Harris Park, while Cr Fry will be doing the rounds in the corporate areas.
"I'm doing a proactive approach, going box to box, getting those big corporate brands and personalities on side to see Bathurst as a destination for events and advertising," he said.
"I'm really going to rub shoulders with some of the identities that are here to ensure that they see Bathurst as their number one choice for any kind of event they envisage."
Learn more about space hire
To learn more about the space hire opportunities, including pricing, visit mount-panorama.com.au and download the prospectus.
Anyone interested in making a booking is asked to call council on 6333 6120 or send an email to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au to discuss availability, suitability and terms.
