BY RACHEL STORER
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| The Newcastle 500 Track. Image: supercars.com |
The Berejiklian government has announced it will establish a "Newcastle 500 Coordination Office" to better manage community consultation in the lead up to the inaugural V8 Supercar race in November.
The NSW Tourism Minister, Adam Marshall says the office will be staffed by Destination NSW and will employ a full-time government liaison officer who will oversee community engagement as well as work closely with Supercars Australia and Newcastle City Council.
Mr Marshall said "their job will be to be on the ground all the time as a permanent presence in Newcastle to ensure the smooth coordination of the inaugural Newcastle 500".
"Everything must run smoothly to try and make the first event in November this year as successful as possible for Newcastle and the greater Hunter region."
The current management of the event has been hit with criticism from Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp and shadow tourism minister Penny Sharpe, who called for an independent liaison body on the same day the new office was announced.
Mr Marshall said it was disappointing to see Labor call for action that had already been discussed.
"Certainly the issues that [Labor] have raised publicly were already addressed a week or two ago and I hope Labor will support this legislation through Parliament because this is going to be a great event for Newcastle."
It is hoped that the government office will ensure that construction continues with minimal disruption to the local community.
