Call it another campaign promise or whatever, but should the Liberal–National Coalition take power in November 28’s Victorian state election, the new government intends to fund a study to see if the Mallee Rally could be brought back.

The Mallee Rally is considered the oldest off-road race in Australia, predating the legendary Finke Desert Race by two years as the inaugural edition took place in 1974. Held along Lake Tyrrell, the race was initially sponsored by BP before Lusty held the naming rights in the 1980s. It was a staple on the Australian Off Road Championship as well. Besides domestic legends, the rally attracted names from abroad too like motocross legend Jeff Smith.

In 2019, the Victorian state government stopped issuing permits for the race due to concerns that it disrupted the lake’s Aboriginal cultural heritage. Lake Tyrrell is known as Direl among the Boorong, a clan of Wergaia who lives in northwestern Victoria. Alternative events have been held elsewhere, though their showrunners have emphasized they are just stopgaps until the Mallee Rally can return.

The findings of an interim report were cited to justify denying the permit. The Victorian National Party, one half of the LNP coalition, has accused the Labor-run government of withholding the final report and preventing attempts to retrieve it.

Jade Benham, representing Mildura in the Victorian Legislative Assembly as part of the Nationals, announced on November 10 that the LNP will conduct the study should it hold the majority following the general election later this month. The “Lake Tyrrell Motorsport and Heritage Coexistence Study” will entail mapping cultural heritage sites along the lake, figuring out a route that would be as close to the original as possible while avoiding the aforementioned locations, and ensuring there is minimal environmental harm.

Benham, the former mayor of Swan Hill who took office as an MP in 2022, says the Labor Party and current Victorian premier Ben Carroll have refused to constructively work with the Sea Lake Off Road Club on a solution.

“This study is an important step towards bringing the Mallee Rally back to Sea Lake,” Benham stated.” The study will help work through the heritage and environmental considerations and give the organizers a better chance of getting this event back on the calendar.

“The rally brought visitors from across Australia and delivered a major boost for local businesses. Sea Lake deserves to have that opportunity back, and the community deserves a government willing to work with them to find a way forward while respecting the area’s cultural heritage.”

Featured image credit: The Age (June 14, 1977)