●All the action off it
World class acts need more time in advance
THE outgoing head of Supercars has flagged global megastars such as Robbie Williams as potential Gold Coast 600 headliners – but only if the event has the long-term certainty it needs to dream big.
Buoyed by a sundrenched Sunday that helped deliver a three-day crowd of 186,259, chief executive James Warburton said the motorsport festival had once again proven itself a massive economic driver in the first of a three-year deal to continue hosting the event in the city.
He also said extending the length of future contracts with the State Government would allow the organisation to take the event to the next level.
“We’re always very grateful when we get a deal … but of course we’d welcome a longer deal,” Mr Warburton said.
“It gives you the ability to plan longer-term … and look at longer-term investments. As an example, when we got the last deal we completely revamped and refurbished the pit building (including corporate suites).
“It gives you the ability to do more, such as providing bigger entertainment, attracting
more celebrities and spending more money on bands and concerts.
“To get a music act like Kelly Rowland or Robbie Williams, you’re not talking about 2018 or 2019. You’re talking about 2020 to (be able to) secure them.”
Mr Warburton said the GC600 and Townsville 400 were the Supercars events locked into the shortest contracts.
“In Darwin, we’ve done a deal to 2030,” he said. “At Bathurst we’re through to 2035, Adelaide we’re through to 2021 and Newcastle is a fiveyear deal, so we have absolute assurances and guarantees.”
Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones, who was among the high-profile names soaking up the atmosphere trackside, said negotiations for the next GC600 deal would commence next year.
“We’ve definitely had those conversations (about longerterm contracts) … and it depends on the value we can drive,” she said.
“My job is to drive the best value for taxpayers for any event we fund. If there’s opportunity in a longer contract to drive better value, of course we would have a look at it.
“As long as the event keeps growing, that’s the main thing we look at.”
Acting Mayor Donna Gates said long-term certainty was critical for major events such as the GC600.
“We’ve just seen it with the deal we’ve done with the SandTunes Festival,” she said of the US-based music festival that will be held on Coolangatta Beach from next year.
“We’ve given them a fiveyear contract with a five-year option to create that certainty. It’s a massive investment in infrastructure and we want to be recognised as an events city.
“I’d love to see Tourism and Events Queensland commit to
WE’RE ALWAYS VERY GRATEFUL WHEN WE GET A DEAL … BUT OF COURSE WE’D WELCOME A LONGER DEAL JAMES WARBURTON
longer contracts for Supercars … there would be benefits for everyone.”
While wet weather impacted Saturday’s turnout, a huge Sunday crowd of 64,794 and clear skies for the Broadwater concerts ensured the event still delivered for the city.
“We did take a hit at the gate on Saturday ... and as the event promoter we’re the people who wear the pain,” Mr Warburton said.
“But we’ve been very fortunate on the Gold Coast as we haven’t had wet weather for a long time ... and people love the event.
“As much as people focus on three or five-year deals, it’s actually a 27-year event and it continues to achieve economic impact.
“The fact of the matter is it’s the number one event in the Tourism and Events Queensland portfolio.”
Ms Jones said last year’s economic return to the city was evidence of its value.
“It generated more than 106,000 visitor nights and more than $40 million in direct spending for the local economy,” she said.