Northern Rivers Guardians (NRG) spokesperson Michael McNamara has welcomed the release of the Southern Cross University review of the economic impacts of the 2011 WRC car rally in Coffs Harbour.
“The results of this survey of local businesses reflect very closely the messages we got after the 2009 event in the Tweed when we conducted a similar survey of local businesses” he said.
“It was good for some, bad for others and had negligible impact overall.”
“The review highlights a net economic gain of $84,000 for the 2011 event over the whole of the Coffs Coast, covering Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca Valley Local Government Areas.
“This does not demonstrate the economic boom times promised by rally organisers.”
“One Coffs business even reported a $25,000 loss over the weekend.”
“The basic message coming through the report is that this event, which should never have received support from the state government and local councils, is more trouble than it is worth.”
“In particular, the financial and ‘in kind’ support from local councils diverts funds from servicing the real needs of ratepayers and residents.”
“The report indicates general business support for events in their local area and NRG supports this.”
“Our point though, like many of the businesses that supported events in the area, is that the nature and focus of the events should reflect local community and environmental values rather than be at odds with them.”
“This report makes a mockery of Cr Kevin Skinner’s recent calls for the rally to return to the Tweed and the support for the rally from Crs Polglaze and Youngblutt.”
“On these figures one would have to ask – Why bother?”
“This event can only run with massive injections of public funds and the overturning of more than 12 state laws designed to protect local communities and their environment.”
“If Crs Skinner, Polglaze and Youngblutt really want to support economic development in the Tweed they should concentrate their efforts on appropriate and sustainable events and activities that have a genuine support base and grounding in the local community rather than on ‘fly by night’ multinational operations that do not really care about the wellbeing of local businesses or community”.
