V8s Wreak Havoc

"There is precious little evidence to indicate that Sydney or NSW will gain any real economic advantage from events such as the V8 car race last weekend,” said Sylvia Hale, Greens spokesperson for Western Sydney. There is however substantial evidence of the adverse impact of last weekend’s race on Newington and surrounding suburbs, where residents were subject to three days of screaming noise and months of inconvenience in the lead up to the race.”

“The ACT Auditor-General’s report of the cost benefits of the V8 car races in Canberra in 2000 and 2001 said, among other things, that the ‘races had significant negative economic results for the ACT’, and that ‘the economic benefits for the …races were overstated’.

“Research carried out by the NSW Parliamentary Library, in an paper called, A World Game: Events and Tourism in NSW, last year indicated similar concerns, and notes that overall internal Australian tourism is declining, with the only real growth in tourism being from the Asian region.

“The Government’s multi-million dollar support for the V8’s may mean little more than a massive taxpayer subsidy to a promoter of a sport with a very small following indeed, and the assertions of the re-appointed Minister for State and Regional Development, Ian Macdonald, that it’s good for NSW must be subject to serious independent analysis.

“If the Government is really serious about promoting tourism in Sydney and NSW it will take note of the intense interest in Asia in soccer football, and supporting events like the bid for the World Cup.

Echoing Ms Hale’s concerns, Auburn Greens Councillor Malikeh Michels said she’d had complaints from across the area over the weekend.

“People were contacting me all weekend with complaints, particularly in Newington, where residents were subject to hour after hour of high speed car noise above 85db.

“Residents are concerned that more trees are planned to but cut down for next years race, and that changes to the road at Olympic park will be made that reduce safety for the local drivers and pedestrians. It’s a disgrace that the Government have inflicted this event on people in this area, and on a suburb that was planned as an environmental and planning showcase for Sydney and Australia.

“I’m pleased to have been invited to speak to residents of the No V8’s at Olympic Park Group next Monday night 14 December from 8.00pm at the Newington Community Centre. I’ll be joining residents to voice their disapproval of this event. This issue will not go away”, said Clr Michels.

Contact: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124