Henry Tuttiet journalist from the
Black Duck Valley owner Greg Diete said the future of the park looked bleak.
"It's closed unless the government steps in," he said. "Either a private buyer can purchase it or the government needs to step in. I think the State Government is the best option."
Mr Diete said the park was well equipped to deal with accidents or emergencies, with a helicopter pad on site as well as a fleet of response vehicles.
He said all Black Duck Valley staff were trained in senior first aid and advanced resuscitation. Diete said the loss of the park would be felt across south-east Queensland. "To loose this park would be a big loss to the motor cycle community," he said.
Greenbank resident Brooke Woodward was one of many who had to change Christmas holiday plans the park's closure.
Mrs Woodward and her family had planned to spend the holidays at the park, like they had done for the past five years. "We were booked to go for a week over Christmas but were told it has closed down for insurance reasons" she said. Mrs Woodward said her family was looking forward to camping at the park to celebrate her son's birthday but was now forced to look at other holiday options.
She said the closure of the park would force hundreds of motor bike riders to look elsewhere for similar facilities.
"You can ride from dawn till dusk and not get in trouble with the police" she said. "Black Duck Valley was the best motocross park around"
The park's closure is also reported in The Queensland Times. A new taskforce headed by Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones has recently been set up by the Council of Mayors. Member for Lockyer Ian Rickuss said he was disappointed to see the closure of the biggest tourist attraction in the Lockyer Valley.
"We have a lot of complaints about motorbike noise so facilities like Black Duck Valley are warranted," Mr Rickuss said. "There is a community need for these sorts of facilities. The problem is that motorcycle sales are going up by 10 per cent a year."
Mr Rickuss said other Gatton businesses would suffer from loss of customers with the closure.