NSW Government shows Newcastle 500 support
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 26 September 2023
The NSW Government has joined Supercars in publicly showing its support behind the continuation of the Newcastle 500.
Following the event’s return in March, the Newcastle 500’s contract which started with the inaugural event in 2017 has ran its course and negotiations between Supercars, the NSW Government and the City of Newcastle Council are ongoing.
A one-year contract extension for the race to take place in 2024 has been put forward.
But doubts are circulating from the location itself after a front page NEWCASTLE HERALD report stated the race “appears destined for the scrap heap”.
In the story itself Greens Councillor John Mackenzie quoted as saying “unless there is an 11th hour intervention and it comes back to the council, it (2024 Newcastle 500) won’t go ahead” whilst acting City of Newcastle chief executive David Clarke described the one-year offer as “inconsistent”.
In response Supercars released statement reaffirming its commitment behind the race along with the NSW Government.
Ministers for Jobs and Tourism John Graham has now come out and voiced his support for the race.
Graham put the Newcastle 500 on the same pedestal as other “iconic major events” such as the NRL Grand Final, Mardi Gras and Sydney Festival.
“In the current fiscal environment, the NSW Government has prioritised retaining iconic major events such as the NRL Grand final, Mardi Gras, the Newcastle 500, and Sydney Festival,” Graham said.
“These events and others are currently going ahead with one-year extensions while we work through the budget black hole we inherited.
“The NSW Government is committed to finding solutions for our major events that generate economic and social value, delivering community and legacy benefits to our state and we look forward to a resolution for the Newcastle 500.”
The NSW Government media released which included the above statement also indicated “the Government is working towards a five-year deal with Supercars” and “the future of the event now sits firmly in the hands of the Newcastle City Council.”
Although Supercars and the NSW Government have stated its commitment to the race, a decision from the City of Newcastle council which has made clear it wants the “final decision” may not arrive soon.
The Newcastle 500 topic does not appear to be on the agenda for Tuesday night’s monthly council meeting.
This means the next opportunity to vote on any extension will not arrive until late October, which will be much later than Supercars hoped.
Image by Peter Norton/Epic Sports Photography
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