14 November 2010

The lucky 14 events you're funding

| johnboy
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Andrew Barr has announced the fourteen major, often extremely profitable, events getting a little help from your tax dollars:

Tourism Minister Andrew Barr said each of the 14 funded events had great potential to attract visitors to the Canberra region, bringing direct benefits to the local economy.

“Tourism is vital to a strong economy and events play a significant role in generating visitors to the Canberra region. This was evident earlier in the year by the hugely successful Masterpieces from Paris exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia, which was supported by the ACT Government,” Mr Barr said.

The fortunate 14 getting a share of $300,000 are:

    — Kanga Cup International Youth Football Tournament
    — Summernats 24
    — Foreshore Summer Music Festival
    — 2011 Australian Open Squash Championships
    — Capital Country Truffle Festival
    — Canberra Half Ironman Triathlon
    — 2011 Australian Dragon Boat Racing Championships
    — 2011 Eastern University Games
    — FFA Futsal National Championships
    — Canberra Sports Festival
    — Rocky Trail Stromlo MTB Crown
    — June Long Weekend Regional Girls Hockey Carnival
    — Capital Punishment MTB Enduro
    — Groovin’ the Moo Music Festival

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Seems a bargain compared to what 3.5 games of footy cost us.

MJay said :

Foreshore ticket prices make me wonder why they need any govt funding?

Exactly. Add to that the fact that it sells out completely.

I mourn it, yep I agree it was held at the crappiest time of year for Canberra but the place came alive like it did when the Supercruise used to when it used to travel Northbourne Ave.

Stanhope was against it all along & vowed to get rid of it as soon as he was elected, he was true to his word on that one.

Mr Stanhope & this current labour government will not support any motorsport at all in the ACT. The once great rally scene is all but dead due to access restrictions, especially since 2003. It seems the fires have been a great excuse to close a vast area that used be used by a number of groups for recreation.

A Noisy Noise Annoys An Oyster10:32 am 15 Nov 10

georgesgenitals said :

Felix the Cat said :

GMC 400 was really only popular for the first year as it was a novelty thing for Canberra but popularity died off in subsequent years for a combination of reasons:

*Visability of the track was virtually non-existant unless you were prepared to shell out the extra buck$ for a grandstand seat (a ‘feature’ of most street circuits)
*The event was held in the middle of winter so too cold for a lot of people
*The NIMBYs whinging about all the disruptions and road closures in the Parliamentry Triangle (probably the same whingers that now go on about cyclists delaying their journey to work by 2 minutes)

Another big turn-off was the arrogance and secrecy of the V8 Supercar organisers. They thought they could come into town, do whatever they liked and not be held accountable, no doubt due to Kate Carnell throwing pots of money at them. When questions were raised about the financial viability of the event they put up the shutters and refused to deal with the new Stanhope Labor government in 2001, even after the Auditor General became involved. No wonder nobody mourned the event after it was killed off.

georgesgenitals9:23 am 15 Nov 10

Felix the Cat said :

GMC 400 was really only popular for the first year as it was a novelty thing for Canberra but popularity died off in subsequent years for a combination of reasons:

*Visability of the track was virtually non-existant unless you were prepared to shell out the extra buck$ for a grandstand seat (a ‘feature’ of most street circuits)
*The event was held in the middle of winter so too cold for a lot of people
*The NIMBYs whinging about all the disruptions and road closures in the Parliamentry Triangle (probably the same whingers that now go on about cyclists delaying their journey to work by 2 minutes)

The main reason I didn’t bother going a second time was because they jacked the ticket prices up too much. When you can buy a standard pass for a few bucks, and spend all day standing in the same spot so you get a decent view, that’s not so bad. When they want to charge you a lot for the same thing… no.

14 organisations haring in $300,000. Really why complain.
I’m not a summernats person, but i’m not going to complain. I’d personally prefer a V8 race whether it be a built circuit or a street circuit.

But don’t complain about the measly funding some organisations get for holding events here.

Deref said :

I don’t get it. If they’re profitable why am I funding them?

I’m confused too. Why would Summernats require funding?

Speed Bonsai … a worthy contender for government funding.

Captain RAAF7:56 am 15 Nov 10

Take Summernats out of the equation……and this place would be a freakin tomb!

Though I’m sure the World Championship Macrame tournament, Speed Bonsai, Garden Gnome painting and Indiginous Pottery festival would see the big crowds return….

I don’t get it. If they’re profitable why am I funding them?

Felix the Cat6:56 am 15 Nov 10

GMC 400 was really only popular for the first year as it was a novelty thing for Canberra but popularity died off in subsequent years for a combination of reasons:

*Visability of the track was virtually non-existant unless you were prepared to shell out the extra buck$ for a grandstand seat (a ‘feature’ of most street circuits)
*The event was held in the middle of winter so too cold for a lot of people
*The NIMBYs whinging about all the disruptions and road closures in the Parliamentry Triangle (probably the same whingers that now go on about cyclists delaying their journey to work by 2 minutes)

So, the GMC 400 that brought 100,000 punter into Canberra for Three days was a dud then???

Foreshore ticket prices make me wonder why they need any govt funding?

The only funding Summernats should receive is to help it move out of town.

Mr Lubberlubber5:42 pm 14 Nov 10

+1 GG. Geez you would really hope that no-one can find anything to complain about with this one.

There’s nothing as profitable as a truffle festival unless its a long weekend regional girls hockey carnival

georgesgenitals1:52 pm 14 Nov 10

Seems like a good variety sharing in the funding.

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