Supercars Infrastructure Set To Go From Newcastle East

 BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council is about to start restoration work on the city's east end, marking the final stage in the withdrawal of the Supercars from the city.

Planning for stage one on the roundabouts at the intersection of Watt Street and Wharf Road as well as Zara Street and Shortland Esplanade is under way, and permanent structures should be in place by July.

Council voted in November to remove the temporary crossings and roundabouts after the Newcastle 500 was moved to Bathurst when Supercars and Council could not reach an agreement.

Newcastle Supercar Supporters Group Questions Motion To Remove Race Infrastructure

BY JACK SEYMOUR

The Newcastle Supercars Supporters Facebook group is questioning a motion set to be tabled for tomorrow night's City Council meeting which would effectively abandon any future races.

The proposal would see the removal of key infrastructure used in the East End for the Newcastle 500.

Group administrator Mitchell Griffin said a successful motion would go against comments made Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and NSW Premier Chris Minns, praising the event's success and calling for an contract extension.

"We've seen Supercars come out and say they're open to a contract renewal. We've heard from the Premier who's keen for the event to go ahead and even back in September, the Lord Mayor said she'd be happy with a five year extension," he said.

"So it really does bring the question "Why shut the event off completely?" when there is the opportunity there to have those discussions and look at the potential of a much longer event should negotiation go ahead next year."

The motion notes the City's decision last month to support Cessnock's bid to host the V8's at the proposed Wine Country 500. 

Cessnock Mayor To Call For Formal Talks About Wine Country 500

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The Mayor of Cessnock will take his bid for the city to host the Supercars in the future to tonight's council meeting. 

He's calling for council to formally start discussions with the Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Destinations NSW, and Supercars about the proposed Wine Country 500. 

Jay Suvaal says he believes people would like to see the event stay in the region, if it won't disrupt businesses or local residents. 

"We've got a huge amount of motorsport fans right across the Hunter region and up here in the Cessnock Local Government Area. We're a world-class tourism destination with plenty of accommodation, and I would love to see the event maintained in the Hunter region to support them," he said. 

"I think we we need to make sure that we learn from the experiences in Newcastle and make sure the bump-in/bump-out that does affect residents and businesses, isn't replicated in our area, and I think we can do that well here." 

City of Newcastle has voted to support the Wine Country 500, despite the fact talks about the event's future in Newcastle are reportedly still underway.

 

Residents and Businesses Share Their Grievances at Newcastle 500 Community Meeting

 BY SHY-ANN ARKINSTALL

The Newcastle East Resident Group held a community meeting at City Hall last night to discuss concerns about the Newcastle 500.

Residents and local business owners filled out the Banquet Room and aired their grievances about the Supercars event.

Ash Greenaway, owner of The Lair on Hunter Street, surveyed more than 60 local businesses about the impact the event had on them and just one responded with a positive return.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says the City of Newcastle is committed to hearing the concerns of the community and will consider them before renewing the event for a further five years. 

Of those surveyed, half had to close for several days while the event was on and lost thousands of dollars before, during, and after the event.

Four businesses even reported losses between $50,000 to $100,000 compared to this time last year.

Many business owners spoke at the meeting with a similar sentiment to their story; the race has resulted in a loss of business and revenue and does more harm than good.

"Instead of enhancing business conditions it actually shuts the city down," said Rowena Foong, owner of High Tea with Mrs Woo. 

Kath Fielden, owner of Fielden Associates, said the event caused disruptions with Wi-Fi and she eventually had to relocate for the time of the event as it was causing too many challenges for their work.

After a motion was put forward by Christine Everingham, spokesperson for the organisers, the group unanimously agreed the Newcastle 500 should not be held in the residential area of Newcastle East.

They also agreed, an independent audit should be conducted to understand the impacts of the event, and a motor racing circuit should be constructed for year-round motor sports events.

City of Newcastle has now employed the consultancy firm KPMG to capture the views of the community to understand the benefits and challenges as seen by locals. 

The results of this will help inform council on decisions regarding the future of the Newcastle 500.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp was in attendance, saying he was "here to listen." 

After hearing the concerns voiced at the meeting, Mr Crakanthorp said he will be raising the issues with the new Minister for Sport when the government is sworn-in later this week.

Foreshore Park Damaged During Supercars Bump Out

 BY IAN CROUCH

Major repairs will need to be undertaken at Newcastle's Foreshore Park following the Supercars event.

The grass between Customs House and the Tram Sheds has been torn up during the pack down of the event, with tyre tracks visible in the mud.

Council says it's aware of the situation and a spokesperson says while some remediation work was anticipated, the damage to the site was exacerbated by recent heavy rain.

Under the services agreement with council, Supercars is liable for the costs associated with the repair work.

Newcastle's Foreshore Park has been left a muddy mess after the Supercars bump out. Picture Newcastle Herald

Newcastle Supercars 'Off The Table' For 2022

 BY IAN CROUCH

A Supercars race in Newcastle appears unlikely to go ahead this year, with the focus now shifting to 2023.

The Newcastle 500 was initially scheduled to go ahead in March, but this was postponed due to the region's Omicron outbreak.

Plans were under way to stage the race between May 20 and 22, but this was also called off after Supercars wanted to consult with its board on a new date

Newcastle Council CEO, Jeremy Bath says given the substantial lead time required, holding the race in May or June is off the table.

With this year's Supercars calendar already full, it's reported talks are under way to host the opening event in Newcastle in March next year.

Newcastle Council now hopes to stage the opening Supercars event in March 2023

Supercars postponed in Newcastle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Newcastle 500 has been postponed, due to COVID-19 concerns around hosting a street circuit in the CBD.

Newcastle councillors and community groups last week voiced concerns around the management of the virus at the event.

The Sydney SuperNight is set to open the championship instead, but it's hoped the Newcastle race will happen later in the year.

Image credit: www.supercars.com

Supercars Cancels Newcastle 500 for 2020

BY IAN CROUCH

Supercars Australia has axed the Newcastle 500 for 2020 after revising its race schedule due to the implications of  COVID-19 restrictions.

The championship will now run over 12 rounds, with the Newcastle and Gold Coast Street races cancelled.

The decision means the revised Supercars series will now be run mostly on permanent tracks. Supercars says they decided to cut Newcastle and Gold Coast from the schedule due to the high cost of constructing the temporary street circuits which rely heavily on big crowds to remain economically viable. The likely continuance of social distancing in the immediate future makes it impossible to stage the event and keep officials and the public safe.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says it's a disappointing outcome for the city, although she understands and accepts the reasons behind the move.

The city's accommodation providers, cafes, pubs, clubs and restaurants were hoping for a much-needed economic boost following the COVID-19 lockdown.

Councillor Nelmes says the loss of the popular street race this year will be sorely felt.

"Just for the Newcastle Local Government Area, it's a $30 million injection over the weekend when the race is staged in November," she said.

There's speculation the event won't return next year, however Supercars is promising to return for the 5th year of its contracted street races in Newcastle.

Newcastle Pubs And Clubs Stay Open Longer For Supercars

BY IAN CROUCH

The good behaviour of race goers at last year's Newcastle 500 has prompted the state's Racing Minister to grant an extension to liquor trading hours in the CBD this weekend.

The city's pubs and clubs will be allowed to stay open between 10.00pm and midnight on Sunday after the big race wraps up.

Australian Hotels Association Newcastle and Hunter President, Rolly De With has welcomed the decision but says the extension is a privilege and patrons taking advantage of the extra two hours need to ensure their behaviour doesn't put this in jeopardy.

AHA Newcastle and Hunter President Rolly De With

Supercars Track Gets Tick of Approval from McLaughlin

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The leading driver in this year's Supercars Championship says the close 14-point gap between him and Holden's Shane Van Gisbergen will result in a thrilling Newcastle 500. 

Shell V Power's Scott McLaughlin and teammate Fabian Coulthard are in town today, to inspect the Foreshore track on pit lane. 

It's just 10 days out from the event's beginning, and excitement is building among fans, with 20-year-old Gillieston Heights paralympic swimmer Maddison Elliott winning a hot lap around the track.

After being pipped at the post by Holden's Jamie Whincup in the final moments last year, Scott McLaughlin says he's looking to re-write history.

"If I lose, I'd rather do it early, not in the last lap because that's a bit more heartbreaking," McLaughlin said, "but I think it's a great opportunity for the pair of us [Fabian Coulthard] to have a crack, the points are very close so it's basically who does the best job...I couldn't ask for a better finale."

The 2017 win saw Jamie Whincup claim a record-breaking seventh Supercars title.

Fabian Coulthard is currently in seventh place heading into the final round and says they might be a little better prepared for this year's race, having driven the track once before.

"I just think it's general knowledge of the place," he explained, "being so tight and twisty it's a bit of a shock to the system. We've just come from New Zealand, which is a big fast flowing circuit, and this one's a bit of a concrete canyon, there's no room for error."

The Shell V Power Team in Newcastle today. 

Changes continue to Foreshore with Supercars race day fast approaching

BY ISABEL EVERETT



Organisers of the Newcastle 500 Supercars event are reminding Novocastrians to expect continuing changes around Nobby's Beach and The Foreshore area as preparation ramps up for the event next Friday.

Installation of concrete barriers on either side of the track is continuing, with new sections to be put in place this week on the corner of Watt Street and Wharf Road near Customs House.

Event Manager Kurt Saczewski says that major changes in traffic conditions such as one-way traffic flow will occur as the event draws closer.

"The big thing for everyone to take note of is that on Sunday the 18th of November, that's when we're going to have the whole race circuit of the roads that make up the race track itself,  they'll all go one way on Sunday morning," Mr. Saczewski said.

"So from that time on anyone going into the East end...and then when they're coming out of the East end, we direct them to come out via Scott Street."

"The idea behind the circuit going one way on Sunday is just to have it all going in one direction and it just makes it a little bit easier...and we reduce the chances of people getting caught up."

Construction of grand-stand seating facilities and corporate areas are almost complete, just in time for the huge crowds expected to attend the event over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Supercars championship leader Scot Mclaughlin and teammate Fabian Coulthard will pay a visit to Newcastle tomorrow in the lead up to the race.

Mr Saczewski says provisions will be in place to assist those driving through the area to avoid confusion and accidents.

"Now until the event, we'll have a team of traffic controllers around the circuit so any time there is a need to change the traffic system or manage control in certain areas there'll be the traffic controllers out there to make sure everyone understands which way to go."

Supercars Revealed as Major Money-Spinner for Newcastle

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The results are in from last year's Newcastle 500 event, with the Supercars shown to have generated $30.1 million for the city.

The Hunter Research Foundation has used mobile phone data, banking records and business transactions to conclude there was close to $5 million directly spent in Newcastle by event organisers, $9 million by attendees and almost $10 million in flow-on effects.

The analysis did not look at the Hunter's other local government areas, and it's believed Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie also reaped the rewards of the 3-day event.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the huge financial figures were due to an influx of visitors.

"We can confirm that just in the Newcastle precinct, above and beyond the residential population, there was 83,000 visitors who attended the event," she said. 

109,000 locals brought the total participation rate up to 192,000 people. 

As most visitors paid for their accomodation well in advance of the Supercars, that spending wasn't included in the HRF analysis. It's believed with that money included, the total injected into local hotels could be much higher. 

"While this research means we can now quantify the economic boost for the city," the Lord Mayor said, "the advertising benefits from the phenomenal media coverage with regards to long-term tourism are harder to quantify." 

However, it's believed the value of coverage is estimated at $1 million, while social media posts about the Newcastle 500 reached 630,000 users. 

With figures like that, pressure is on for this year's race to prove just as fruitful. 

Event Manager Kurt Saksewski said with the additional Entertain Newcastle events planned this year, it's sure to be a bonanza. 

"It's fantastic the City of Newcastle is adding to the festival feel and the event itself," he said, "they're going to start at Gregson Park, Hamilton on the Thursday night with a drivers autograph session...and then on Friday night Darby Street is going to be activated with live activities down there." 

This year's Newcastle 500 is happening on November 23-25. 

Image: Supplied CoN. 

Supercars Newcastle 500 Entertainment Change

BY KYLE CARROLL

The Newcastle 500 will return on November 23 to crown the next Virgin Australia Supercars champion.

However, the entertainment is being moved from previous years location to the number one sports ground.

Event Manager, Kurt Sakzewski says it was a strategic move to allocate the sports-ground.

"The benefits of the relocation are getting more people moving around the city".

At last years event, superstars Delta and Cold Chisel performed over two nights at the foreshore, but this year is reduced to just one night of entertainment.

Simple Minds will take to the stage on the Saturday night, kickstarting the big finale to the supercars season, with the last race on Sunday.

Sakzewski says the Newcastle 500's second year is shaping up to be a popular event. 

"We're very impressed with ticket sales this year, all the grandstands are pretty much sold-out but we have trackside tickets still available". 

Shuttle buses will operate from the race at the Foreshore to get attendees to the ground in Newcastle West. 

Newcastle 500 Grid. Image: Fox Sports

Police Launch Operation Boote Ahead of Supercars 500

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI AND MADELAINE MCNEILL

A high-visibility police operation was launched today as Newcastle prepares for this week’s inaugural Supercars event.

Operation Boote will see officers from Newcastle Local Area Command and across the Northern Region joined by specialist officers to ensure the safety of all those in town for the event.

Officers will be out in force, targeting speeding, drink-driving, mobile phone and seat-belt offences as well as 'hoon behaviour.'

Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchells says police will be on the lookout for any misdemeanours.

"We need this event to be safe and secure and we will have ample police out there to ensure everyone's safety is paramount."

Traffic congestion is another major concern, with more than 150,000 spectators expected to be in attendance. 

“If you have the opportunity, take public transport and come to the event. Do not expect to be able to drive your car close to this event and find a park, it’s just not going to happen," said Mr. Mitchells.
  

V8 Supercars Chief Operating Officer Shane Howard says Supercars is great family entertainment and is asking for people to behave appropriately and be respectful of each other. 

Right: Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchells, Newcastle Lord Mayor
Nuatali Nelmes and Supercars Chief Operating Officier Shane Howard

“Don’t drink and drive. Just come along, enjoy a fabulous weekend with the championship going down to the wire, and go home safely.”

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes believes it is a fantastic time for Newcastle to be showcasing the region to an international audience but says safety is paramount.

“We are encouraging people to play by the rules and make sure that they are following the guidelines set out by the police, Newcastle City Council, and Supercars.”

Assistant Commissioner Mitchell warns anyone who fails to follow the rules will be dealt with accordingly, which could mean paying a high fine or being taken into custody.

“The bottom line is you will be banned from the event,” he said. “We don’t want to see that occurring, so the message is very clear: we want everyone to come to this operation, enjoy the supercars event, and I think over this weekend it’ll be a terrific advertisement for Newcastle as a whole.”

Fire Stations Drained for Supercars

BY GRACE LANCASTER

The New South Wales Government plans to drain fire services around the Hunter over the weekend to cater for the upcoming Supercars event.

Lambton and Tingira Heights staff and appliances will be backfilled into the Cooks Hill and Cardiff stations, with no further backfilling taking place to accommodate for the shortened services, resulting in longer response times from Friday to Sunday.

The relocation comes after receiving a $30,000 dollar grant under the user pay system, leading many including Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery, to believe the money is being pocketed.

"The user pay system is in place to cover the costs of bringing in additional staff and vehicles when required."

Charlestown MP, Jodie Harrison, is also angered by the decision, believing the event is unfairly compromising the safety of the community.

"There's no question that the supercars is a very exciting event for Newcastle and the Hunter region generally but the Supercars event should not be used as an excuse for the government to reduce the services that are being provided by local fire services in our local fire stations", she said.

Photo: Daily Telegraph 

Photo: Newcastle Supercars Track- Motorsport.com

Vandals target Supercars construction sites

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

As the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 Supercars event draws nearer, it's clear that some Novocastrians are still unsupportive.

Vandals have tagged the words 'liars,' 'shame' and 'spin' on signs explaining the purpose of construction works taking place around the East End.

Images of the vandalism circulated on social media yesterday, as race preparation continues.

This week, crews will work on driveway upgrades on Watt Street and further works on Nobby's Beach Carpark.

The past few days have seen the relocation of utilities, the laying of stormwater pipes and water main installation throughout the East End, with crews working between 7am and 5pm on weekdays.

Maria Charlton, an East End resident and business owner, has expressed her frustration with the disruptions caused over the past few months.

"It's been disruptive. It's been noisy. The sad part about it is it's affecting a lot of businesses- they've gone into a downslide...These were businesses that were very viable; small businesses," she said, "But because of the traffic chaos and the infrastructure work, they've gone into decline and they're desperate."

Ms Charlton believes the event should never have been planned to take place on Newcastle's streets. "I mean really, I don't deny people will want to watch this event, but take it to a race track and stop imposing on business.

"If residents or whoever did [the vandalism], are saying things, they're saying it out of utter desperation. They're seeing their environment being totally invaded for a three-day event."

"Lies"- Vandals target signage opposite Nobby's carpark. Image source: The Herald. 

Power outage set to disrupt Newcastle CBD

BY LAURISE DICKSON

Eighty businesses and homes in the Newcastle CBD will lose power for eight hours on Saturday as part of ongoing construction work for the upcoming Newcastle 500 Supercars race.

Ausgrid will cut off the supply to parts of Hunter and Watt Street between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm to allow for the disconnection and removal of street lighting for footpath upgrades.

Businesses were informed about the disruption in the same week as Newcastle City Council announced plans to close part of Watt Street from this week until August 26.

Owner of Rowie's Liquor Store on Hunter Street, Shannyn Robards, fears his business will experience a significant loss of profits due to the power outage.

"It reduces our capacity to trade because we don't have a cash register and an EFTPOS," said Mr Robards.

"During the period of the outage, we would generally take between $2,000 and $2,500 in takings on an average Saturday."

The decision means local businesses in the CBD have been forced to find an alternative electricity supply or face a day of lost trade.

"All we can do is try and source our own generator and take control of the problem ourselves," said Mr Robards.

"It's not only unfair, it's bad public relations."

The Newcastle 500 will take place from 24th - 26th November, 2017.  

Owner of Rowie's Liquor Store on Hunter Street, Shannyn Robards. Picture: Newcastle Herald