Bikers, sailors in clash

Logistical minefield for city on Australia Day

EVENT organisers are preparing to navigate the logistical minefield presented by Festival of Sails reverting to its traditional Australia Day weekend schedule, resulting in a clash with the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

The date change was announced after an admission by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club that changing the date of the regatta had harmed its success, reduced entry numbers and brought negative feedback from stakeholders.

Although the two will likely benefit from sharing the cost of security, road closures and stages, the biggest turf war is expected to play out over Steampacket Gardens where both events have historically centred their spectator activities.

Also of significance is that the bike race begins and ends in front of the yacht club where broadcast vans are also based.

Festival of Sails chairman Peter Alexander believes there is enough prime waterfront real estate for the two to co- exist but identified accommodation as a major challenge.

“In terms of participants we have over 300 yachts, which translates to about 3000 competitors but the shore side visitors are upwards of 150,000 people for the whole event,” he said.

“Probably the biggest logistic challenges will be where to put all the visitors to Geelong that weekend.”

While many of the competitors will stay on their boats, sailing and cyclist spectators may have to look to the Surf Coast or Bellarine Peninsula, which could create challenges with public transport and parking in the CBD.

“Last year we had a lot of people staying at Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus and we had a park and ride into the waterfront and that worked really well,” Mr Alexander said.

Both events are extremely valuable to the region, generating significant economic benefit, community participation and branding with the im- ages of Geelong that are broadcast internationally as a result.

The timing of the bike race is dictated by the UCI World Tour calendar and specifically the scheduling of the Tour Down Under.

Jason Bakker, Cadel Evans’ manager and event co-founder, said the ability to change dates was not a luxury the event enjoyed.

“I think the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race would be a major success on any date, but it’s just not something we can influence,” he said.

“Both events (TDU and CEGORR) combine to give Australia a two-week window on the UCI World Tour each year.”

City of Greater Geelong director of investment and attraction Brett Luxford said with all parties working cooperatively, the foreshore was big enough to host the two events.

“We have hosted events larger than the two of these events combined, so we know our infrastructure is in place to support whatever is needed to make the weekend work effectively,” he said.