Layla Gain-Hill with residents of Barkers Vale and Wadevale who are concerned the Repco Rally with endanger Hanging Rock Creek.

Northern Star/Mel McMillan

A WILDLIFE refuge may become part of the Repco Rally route if the event's organisers go ahead with their plans.

The rally, which is part of the FIA World Championship, is due to be held in the Kyogle and Tweed shires in September.

Sandy Thompson, who owns the 4-hectare wildlife sanctuary through which the rally would run, said the idea of holding the event in such a bio-diverse location was irresponsible.

Mr Thompson said his biggest concern was the threat to aquaculture in Hanging Rock Creek, which runs parallel to Williams Road.

“There are nine small wooden bridge crossings on Williams Road. The potential for one of these vehicles to leave the road and end up in the creek is huge,” he said.

Mr Thompson said fuel or oil spillage into the creek could endanger its populations of platypus, turtles, water birds, ducks, cormorants and fish.

Hanging Rock Creek flows directly off the World Heritage Border Ranges National Park and its largest swimming hole is listed as a 'must do' in the Lonely Planet travel guide.

Mr Thompson said vehicles in the rally could also kill lizards, snakes, quails, pheasants, whiptail wallabies and pademelons.

“There will be a lot of roadkill if they come through here,” he said.

“They should take their rally somewhere that people want it.”

It is expected a DA for the event will be lodged with the Kyogle Council in February.

The Northern Star attempted to contact rally organisers, but received no response.

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