Main Content

Save Olympic Park - No V8S

SAY NO TO V8 SUPERCAR RACING AT OLYMPIC PARK

PDF Print E-mail

Tuesday, 14 October 2008

What’s happened?

In October 2008, Premier Nathan Rees has announced his support for bringing the V8 Supercar Championship Series to one of Sydney’s few Green icons, Sydney Olympic Park, running every year for at least 5 years.

Up to $90 million worth of public money will flow to the event, which will require legislation changes to override the environmental regulations designed to enhance the green credentials of the Olympic precinct.

The decision was made without community consultation or an environmental impact assessment.

Who supports the event?

The government and in particular State Development Minister Ian Macdonald and former Roads Minister Eric Roozendal, V8 Supercars Australia, News Ltd and Channel 7 are backing the race being held at Homebush.

The Board of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority opposes the event. So too do surrounding councils, residents, environment groups, local businesses and three of the Park’s largest corporate tenants - Commonwealth Bank, GPT Group and Babcock & Brown.  Even former NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor says it’s a waste of money.

The Greens argue the event should have been held at Sydney's Eastern Creek International raceway.  This position has the support of large sections of the motor racing fraternity.

What are the benefits?

Promoters claim the event will promote tourism and boost the NSW economy, despite evidence to the contrary from other Australian States like the ACT and Victoria which have hosted similar events.

What’s wrong with holding the event at Sydney Olympic Park?

Olympic Park has been the focus of intensive environmental restoration. It is subject to strict legislation, environmental guidelines and a Master Plan that fail to fit with the event.
The race will require removing up to 700 trees, ripping up roads and building temporary tracks.

Every time the race is held normal activities in the area would be shut down for at least 3 days. It will involve a 10-week set up and clean up period.
Seven kilometres of concrete blocks and steel capped fencing will be transported to and from the site, requiring several hundred semi-trailer trips through local suburbs.

The event will involve noise pollution and impact adversely on the sensitive local environment.

What are the Greens doing to try reverse the decision?

In late September 2008 Lee Rhiannon moved a motion in NSW Parliament calling for the public release of reports prepared for or received by the government in relation to the event. The motion was debated and while supported by the Opposition, was opposed by the government.

Lee has publicly called for:
- the government to reverse its decision
- Eastern Creek Raceway to be upgraded and used instead
- the government to consult with the community and issue a cost/benefit analysis before making its final decision
- the government to explain how it can justify the expense and inconvenience of staging this event at Olympic Park, not Eastern Creek.

See all relevant media releases Lee has issued:

Lee has also written to the NSW Auditor General asking him to consider auditing the government’s cost/benefit calculations for the event, as contained in documents held by the NSW Premier.

On Sunday 19 October 2008 Lee Rhiannon addressed a public rally organised by the ‘Save Olympic Park: No V8 Racing’ Committee at Sydney Olympic Park. 

What can I do?

Phone, email or write to Premier Nathan Rees telling him you oppose the event at Olympic Park. Ask him to reverse his decision:

Mr Nathan Rees
GPO Box 5341,
SYDNEY NSW 2001
(02) 9228 5239 phone
(02) 9228 3934 fax