Minister revs tourism potential for events

New South Wales Tourism Minister Sandra Nori today revved up the impact of the controversial inaugural A1 Grand Prix of Nations which takes place in Sydney next month, claiming it will bring with it valuable tourist dollars.

Minister Nori said, “The international A1 GP has the potential to become an annual big ticket sporting event and could provide economic benefits of up to $10 million a year.

The November 4-6 event at Eastern Creek International Raceway pits 25 countries against each other in what has been dubbed “The World Cup of Motorsport”.

Minister Nori hopes the new race will generate the same passion that brought together 166,000 petrol heads to Mt Panorama last Sunday for the Bathurst 1000.

“I would like to see similar enthusiasm for this truly global A1 event, particularly in multicultural Sydney where I encourage people to get out to Eastern Creek and get behind their favourite team,” she said.

The NSW Government has a lot riding on the success of this and future motor sports events after investing $450,000 to upgrade track infrastructure at Eastern Creek.

Encouraged by the multi-million dollar boosts to the economy from the 2000 Olympics and 2003 Rugby World Cup, the NSW Government has also invested $10 million over three years in facilities at Mt Panorama.

Australian driver Will Power, 26, came second in the opening A1 GP, held in September at Brands Hatch, England, briefly snatching the lead from eventual winner Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jnr, son of the three-time F1 champion.

What is not clear from Minister Nori’s comments is exactly how much the New South Wales Government is providing in direct support to the event and how the economic benefit is being evaluated. The Mole hears from underground that the sum provided is in the region of $400,000, which bearing in mind the claimed economic benefit, even adding in the Eastern Creek improvements, seems rather paltry.

While Mister Nori appears supportive of events, former Premiers Carr’s record in the field is considered to have been more than very lacklustre with a preoccupation with very big ticket items, offering limited support, with New South Wales as a result losing out to the significantly more enthusiastic and better funded Victoria and Queensland.

Event industry leaders are waiting with baited breath to hear if Premier Iemma will support Minister Nori by allocating some serious funds to support New South Wales winning back its claimed position as the event capital of Australia, an accolade currently considered to be held by Melbourne.