GOLD COAST IS LET DOWN BY THE TIMING OF SUPERCARS RACE

THERE’S no better place to host a world class motorsport event in Australia than the Gold Coast.

The buzzing atmosphere created by diehard fans from across the country.

The spectacular parties. The perfect weather. And from a broadcast perspective, the breathtaking views of the city meeting the surf beamed into millions of living rooms all over the world.

We have a proud history of hosting motorsports.

From 1990 to 2010 Indy car was an event that grew in stature each year.

It attracted top quality drivers such as Formula 1 champion Nigel Mansell, Dario Franchetti, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Toowoombaborn Indianapolis champion Will Power.

Since 2010, V8s have replaced the open wheelers and Supercars have enhanced the on-track action with offtrack concerts.

The Gold Coast has welcomed the continuation of

Member for Surfers Paradise the events because we are an events city.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) says of all the major events in Queensland, Supercars brings the best return on investment, pouring millions of dollars into the local economy.

The state government contributes millions of dollars each year and there is also a sizeable contribution from City of Gold Coast.

Local residents of Main Beach and Paradise Waters have increasingly expressed concerns to me as their local MP over many years about the changes to the race

They’re concerned about the prospect of the circuit being lit up, which was promised by former Labor Minister Kate Jones.

While the 2020 race was cancelled due to COVID, it’s unbelievable that the 2021 race will be held from December 3-5.

It’s the wrong time of year for us to host it.

Business operators are gearing up for the holiday rush, kids are celebrating the end of school, holiday makers fill up hotel apartments across the city just three weeks before Christmas.

Road closures, detours, grandstand construction and the searing summer heat will also cause frustrations for locals.

We need a more suitable time to gain the maximum economic benefits for our city. This is an opportunity lost. The Labor government should have fought harder for the Gold Coast. We don’t deserve the dregs.

Given that the Labor state government contributes so much money, it begs the question as to what pressure they put on organisers to provide a more suitable date for tourism and accommodation providers.

Once again, the lack of vision from Labor is disturbing.

The Gold Coast has felt as though it has been abandoned by the Palaszczuk government throughout 2020, with our borders closed for seven months, business being down up to 95 per cent in some cases, and one in 13 jobs being lost in Surfers Paradise since March.

The last thing we need is to feel that this will continue with one of our iconic events in 2021.

It makes absolutely no sense for us to be handed the last race on the Supercars calendar.

We are a city that deserves the prime time attention.

Instead of taking up the fight, Labor has let the Gold Coast become an afterthought.