V8 Supercars are coming to Townsville
November 15th 2007 03:40
An announcement by the Prime Minister, John Howard, yesterday has pleased V8 Supercar fans Australia-wide. Following is the speech made in relation to a new V8 Supercar street circuit planned for Townsville.
News courtesy of the official V8 Supercar Australia website.
The Honourable John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia:
“I am very pleased to announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will provide $10 million towards the establishment of a V8 Supercar race facility at the Reid Park precinct in Townsville. This funding commitment will allow for the first V8 Supercar race to be held in 2009.
”The Coalition’s contribution will provide for the development of a multi-purpose trade training facility that will act as the pit facility during the event.
”For the remainder of the year, the facility will be a pre-vocational training facility providing skills training for the automotive and hospitality industries.
”The race has received the strong backing of the Australian V8 Supercar Organisation, Townsville City Council and the Queensland Government.
”With a proud history of supporting local sporting teams and as the fastest growing city in Queensland, it’s only appropriate that Townsville host an annual motor racing event.
”It is estimated that the race could generate as much as $19 million for the North Queensland economy in the first year alone.
”The race will also be a boost for international tourism, sending the picturesque images of Townsville into the homes of millions of people.
”The Coalition’s commitment was forthcoming only after very strong representations by the Member for Herbert, the Hon Peter Lindsay MP on behalf of his electorate and the people of North Queensland.
”I congratulate everyone associated with this ambitious project which will not only provide the great city of Townsville with a very significant annual motor sport event but will also provide skills training for the automotive and hospitality industries in North Queensland.
Quote in response from V8 Supercars Australia Chairman, Tony Cochrane:
“V8 Supercars Australia joins all of our fans in North Queensland in a chorus of support for today’s announcement from the Prime Minister John Howard that his Government will allocate $10 million in funding for the Townsville Major Events Precinct.
“This funding, coupled with the already committed funds from the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh, will see work commence early next year on the major urban renewal of Reid Park in Townsville and the event precinct which will host an annual V8 Supercar street race.
“My congratulations to the Prime Minister and the Member for Herbert Peter Lindsay who have worked tirelessly to ensure the people of North Queensland get the same opportunity to host a major event as those in the capital cities. Peter has been a very strong advocate of this initiative for North Queensland and understands just what this will do for Townsville.
“Prime Minister Howard’s announcement today is icing on the cake that will put Townsville on the world stage in July 2009 with the hosting of the inaugural V8 Supercar street race in North Queensland.
“Our fans would be well aware that it was also the coalition Government that supported the redevelopment of Bathurst four years ago that has transformed that venue into a world class motorsport precinct.
“There have been a number of key players in bringing this together along with the coalition Government.
“V8 Supercars Australia would like to express our great thanks to the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh and particularly Treasurer Andrew Fraser who played such an integral role in assisting in getting this event off the ground. The State and Federal Governments working together will bring an exciting urban renewal to North Queensland.
“Finally we must thank the Mayor of Townsville Tony Mooney who has done such a brilliant job in helping us get the project to this stage. And without the Chairmanship of Tony Ireland and Townsville Enterprises this entire venture would have floundered years ago.
“Our many thousands of fans in Townsville and North Queensland will be delighted by this announcement.”
News courtesy of the official V8 Supercar Australia website.
The Honourable John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia:
“I am very pleased to announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will provide $10 million towards the establishment of a V8 Supercar race facility at the Reid Park precinct in Townsville. This funding commitment will allow for the first V8 Supercar race to be held in 2009.
”The Coalition’s contribution will provide for the development of a multi-purpose trade training facility that will act as the pit facility during the event.
”For the remainder of the year, the facility will be a pre-vocational training facility providing skills training for the automotive and hospitality industries.
”The race has received the strong backing of the Australian V8 Supercar Organisation, Townsville City Council and the Queensland Government.
”With a proud history of supporting local sporting teams and as the fastest growing city in Queensland, it’s only appropriate that Townsville host an annual motor racing event.
”It is estimated that the race could generate as much as $19 million for the North Queensland economy in the first year alone.
”The race will also be a boost for international tourism, sending the picturesque images of Townsville into the homes of millions of people.
”The Coalition’s commitment was forthcoming only after very strong representations by the Member for Herbert, the Hon Peter Lindsay MP on behalf of his electorate and the people of North Queensland.
”I congratulate everyone associated with this ambitious project which will not only provide the great city of Townsville with a very significant annual motor sport event but will also provide skills training for the automotive and hospitality industries in North Queensland.
Quote in response from V8 Supercars Australia Chairman, Tony Cochrane:
“V8 Supercars Australia joins all of our fans in North Queensland in a chorus of support for today’s announcement from the Prime Minister John Howard that his Government will allocate $10 million in funding for the Townsville Major Events Precinct.
“This funding, coupled with the already committed funds from the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh, will see work commence early next year on the major urban renewal of Reid Park in Townsville and the event precinct which will host an annual V8 Supercar street race.
“My congratulations to the Prime Minister and the Member for Herbert Peter Lindsay who have worked tirelessly to ensure the people of North Queensland get the same opportunity to host a major event as those in the capital cities. Peter has been a very strong advocate of this initiative for North Queensland and understands just what this will do for Townsville.
“Prime Minister Howard’s announcement today is icing on the cake that will put Townsville on the world stage in July 2009 with the hosting of the inaugural V8 Supercar street race in North Queensland.
“Our fans would be well aware that it was also the coalition Government that supported the redevelopment of Bathurst four years ago that has transformed that venue into a world class motorsport precinct.
“There have been a number of key players in bringing this together along with the coalition Government.
“V8 Supercars Australia would like to express our great thanks to the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh and particularly Treasurer Andrew Fraser who played such an integral role in assisting in getting this event off the ground. The State and Federal Governments working together will bring an exciting urban renewal to North Queensland.
“Finally we must thank the Mayor of Townsville Tony Mooney who has done such a brilliant job in helping us get the project to this stage. And without the Chairmanship of Tony Ireland and Townsville Enterprises this entire venture would have floundered years ago.
“Our many thousands of fans in Townsville and North Queensland will be delighted by this announcement.”
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