Organisers welcome positive Summernats report

[rag top]

Full article can be found here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...3/s1335286.htm



Organisers of the Summernats car festival have welcomed the outcome of an inquiry that has found the Canberra event is overwhelmingly beneficial.

The two-month review found Summernats generates economic benefits of around $1 million a day, and that there is no significant environmental impact.

However, people living near the event have complained about noise, air pollution and anti-social behaviour.

Some residents say the event should give something back to nearby suburbs.

Summernats organiser Chic Henry believes the idea has merit.

"I'm talking about the residents' concerns and what may be a way of easing their pain and discomfort, buying a computer for the primary school etc," he said.

"[This] doesn't necessarily make it any easier when people can smell the smoke, but if that's what we need to do to live a little bit more in harmony with the residents, then I'm well and truly for it."

[Walkinshaw]

In the words of eddy murphy

"tell them to have a coke and a smile and shut the **** up"

I can understand these people, as EPIC is a multipurpose venue not 100% designed for car activities. But for 4 days of the year, live with it. The cash injection that summernats would bring is amazing (as has been proven)

[Yellow Fire]

That's great news. No matter what people may think of Summernats, there's no doubt it gives a lot more to Canberra than it takes.

Roll on Summernats 19.

[big_pete]

good stuff. 1million a day is Huge

1 mil a day! Whoa!

[brenx]

You'll always have someone that will bitch and moan. Same goes at any event.

[rag top]

The Greens also want their say...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...4/s1335747.htm

Greens' MLA Deb Foskey says she would like to see a health impact assessment carried out during Summernats in suburbs near Exhibition Park.

An inquiry into the motoring event found that despite residents' concerns, its impact on the ACT is overwhelmingly beneficial, generating economic benefits of nearly $1 million a day.

But it has recommended that legislation be tightened so strict guidelines on noise and pollution can be more easily enforced.

Ms Foskey says a health assessment would reassure nearby residents that they are not being put at risk.

"We have a responsibility as a community to ensure that any events that take place don't compromise noise and air quality standards that we enforce for our own citizens," she said.

[loxxr6]

An inquiry into the motoring event found that despite residents' concerns, its impact on the ACT is overwhelmingly beneficial, generating economic benefits of nearly $1 million a day.

But it has recommended that legislation be tightened so strict guidelines on noise and pollution can be more easily enforced.

Ms Foskey says a health assessment would reassure nearby residents that they are not being put at risk.

"We have a responsibility as a community to ensure that any events that take place don't compromise noise and air quality standards that we enforce for our own citizens," she said.

Idiots, like being in a built up area with vehicle's emitting gasses from exhausts already isn't damaging enough to people's health.

4 days a year can't really be that worse in the scheme of things.

Stupid residents...

[460cixy]

i have been watching this closely in the media the last few days. and like every other motor sport event in canberra the greenie do gooder public servants will kill it off. like the supercars here .
in my line of work i come across so many ppl in this joint that are so anti motorsport in canberra. only thing that keeps going year after year is the rally cause its out of sight out of mind .

[HOON69]

you know whats even more funny is that,they live right of the most busiest roads in canberra,most likely moved there well after summernats was commenced and they think they have the right to stop
1 million dollars a day being contributed from the nats being there and the best car events in oz..

ppl need to put up or shutup really
yes it creates alot of smoke/noise etc but they should of thought about that before placing their hard earned cash down to buy there..

yes it creates pollution/noise and to some a few hundred hoons
but for 3-4 days a year is it worth whinging about?

[rag top]

Found the full ACT Govt. Media release:


Title : SUMMERNATS AN ECONOMIC, SOCIAL BOON Minister : Jon Stanhope MLA

98/05
31 March 2005

SUMMERNATS AN ECONOMIC, SOCIAL BOON

A review of Summernats has found that the event's impact on the ACT is overwhelmingly beneficial, with economic benefits alone amounting to nearly
$1 million for each day of the event, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today.

"The two-month inter-departmental inquiry chaired by Jocelyn Plovits from the Chief Minister's Department found that Summernats injected more than $3 million into the territory's economy and that there was no significant environmental impact in the form of noise or air pollution," Mr Stanhope said.

"Of the more than 100 community submissions received, most supported the event. Many people contributed suggestions for improvements to Summernats.
These have been included in the recommendations, which have been accepted and will be implemented for future events."

Mr Stanhope said he was pleased that the manager of Summernats, Chic Henry, had cooperated with the review and was keen to play a part in implementing some of the recommendations.

"Mr Henry will work with the Government, as he has in previous years, to make Summernats an even better annual attraction," Mr Stanhope said.

Among other things the review found that:

* Summernats 2005 was considered the best-run Summernats so far;
* people living near the event reported greater negative effects that the rest of the community;
* apart from noise and air-quality concerns, the major problem reported by nearby residents was anti-social behaviour;
* overall noise during the event only exceeded average ambient noise levels by between 5 and 10dB(A), according to the Environment Protection Authority;
* indoor and outdoor air quality in Watson, as measured by Robsons Laboratory, was well within acceptable standards during the event.

Mr Stanhope said the most significant recommendation to flow from the review was for event managers, as well as event venues, to obtain environmental authorisation. This would encourage a greater focus on environmental responsibility.

"Based on these findings Summernats will continue to be held at Exhibition Park and will continue to be a source of enjoyment for thousands of Canberrans and visitors of all ages," Mr Stanhope said.

Copies of the report are available from www.cmd.act.gov.au or www.canberraconnect.gov.au

Media Contact: Penelope Layland 6205 9777 Mobile 0438 289
714 penelope.layland@act.gov.au

Jon Stanhope MLA
CHIEF MINISTER
ATTORNEY GENERAL MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINISTER FOR ARTS, HERITAGE & INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS MEMBER FOR GINNINDERRA

[460cixy]

:voldar02: well that looks positive