By Laura Wakely
CALDER Park Raceway has come under fire from outraged Brimbank motorists who claim they have been duped in to donating to a charity that does not exist.
The Raceway has been charging drivers $5 to enter their property to discourage illegal U-turns as previously reported by Star (Wrong way, 4 October).
A sign advertising the $5 fee also displayed the text: ‘All proceeds Sunbury Cancer Council.’ But Cancer Council Victoria spokesperson Deb Stringer told Star last week that this charity did not exist and that the Cancer Council had not received any funds from the Raceway.
Calder Park general manager Ian McArthur said it was an innocent mistake and that the funds have been donated to the Sunbury Cancer and Natural Therapy Foundation.
Mr McArthur said last week that up to 600 cars had been performing illegal
U-turns on their property which had created a serious safety issue.
Brimbank Highway Patrol Senior Constable Trent Hewet said drivers were endangering themselves and others by not U-turning at designated points along the Calder Fwy.
But drivers have been outraged by the fee, labelling it as “unfair” and “unethical”, claiming signage wasn’t clear and that they were not provided with a receipt of their donation.
Mr McArthur said the fee was for entry to the Raceway and not a donation.
“The donation’s being made by us,” he told Star.
“We can donate it to any charity we like. The $5 is a deterrent. We haven’t done this as a result of trying to make money.”
The Sunbury Cancer and Natural Therapy Foundation confirmed they had received a donation from the Raceway recently, but would not disclose the amount.
Mr McArthur said it was around $160.
“The numbers (of drivers performing illegal U-turns) have drastically reduced now which is great,” he said.
But drivers are still unhappy.
One driver told Star she was outraged a receipt issued to her by the Raceway read “illegal U-turn” when she was told her $5 was a donation to the Sunbury Cancer Council.
Shane, who withheld his surname, told Star the Raceway had behaved “morally and ethically… wrong”.
“I can understand from their point of view (why they’re charging drivers),” Shane said.
“But I think he’s going the wrong way about it.”
Shane said he had contacted Consumer Affairs because the Raceway was falsely advertising the money was being given to the Sunbury Cancer Council.
He called on Mr McArthur to refund the money or donate it to Cancer Council Victoria and apologise to drivers.
Ms Stringer said the Cancer Council only endorsed fundraising activities which encourage voluntary donations and comply with the Fundraising Appeals Act and state laws.
