This weekend, the Newcastle East Resident's Group is holding an awareness picnic at Foreshore Park to spread the word about issues surrounding the V8 Supercars Race.
Many members are concerned the race will bring permanent damage to the local area, including the destruction of a large amount of parkland.
Member for Newcastle East Resident's Group, Karen Read says she hopes the picnic will bring attention to this issue.
"We just wanted to point out to people that a lot of the changes that are going into the park are actually permanent," she said.
"We're really just raising awareness that many of the (Foreshore) trees do have to go and that the pit area which has to be built will be a permanent fixture.
"It will be a very large permanent slab of concrete so we're losing in excess of 3 hectares of park."
Karen Read also says many of the group's questions are going unanswered and there is a lack of information for concerned residents.
"We can't get any information from the proponents. We don't really know what's going to happen," she said.
"We're not sure what's happening with the children's playgrounds. We think they might have to be moved. Some of the parkland at the bottom of Fort Scratchley will have to be resumed so that the roads are wide enough. But we can't get straight answers."
While those against the race are gathering this weekend, another picnic for pro-race resident's will also be held the following Saturday.
The picnic's organisers are hoping people will attend their event to show support for the race and learn more about motor sports.
Karen Read says she has nothing against people who support the race, but believes the local's deserve more insight into the event.
"We feel as though if it's (the race) so good for Newcastle, they need to be transparent about what they're doing."
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| Member of Newcastle East Resident's Group, Karen Read. [Image: Newcastle Herald] |
