Community feedback sought on future of Newcastle 500

The City of Newcastle is inviting its residents, businesses and racegoers to offer feedback on the future of the Newcastle 500 to help guide any decision made by City of Newcastle should Destination NSW and Supercars Australia propose a five-year contract extension of the event in Newcastle.

City of Newcastle Chief Executive Jeremy Bath notes "we’re committed to undertaking broad community consultation using an evidence-based methodology to understand the opinions of the Newcastle community and ensure that key stakeholders have their voices heard and considered.

"The consultation will explore themes of liveability, economic benefit or challenges and perceptions of the event, as well as its impact on the visitor economy.

"Should Destination NSW and Supercars decide they want to extend the Newcastle 500 for another five years, our elected Council will need to decide if we agree to again be the host city."

The strategy was finalised after being placed on public exhibition for six weeks throughout December and January, with the online survey launched during bump-in for the Supercars season-opener event.

The survey can now be completed via the City of Newcastle website and will remain open until three weeks after the event, which is being held from 10th-12th March 2023.

In-person surveys around the event precinct during the race period will provide insight into attendees' behaviours including visitation to local businesses, while a random telephone survey will follow the event to capture a range of views from across Newcastle's demographic profile.

Three post-event stakeholder workshops with residents, business and industry representatives will also be held to understand the perceived benefits and challenges presented by the Newcastle 500.

A report on the feedback and insights from the community consultation to inform the decision about any potential extension of the Newcastle 500 will be prepared for Council to consider in the coming months.

Preparations for next month's race are well underway, with bump-in by Supercars having kicked off on 1st February.

In addition to three days of racing around the street circuit, the event will treat music fans to a weekend of performances inside the race precinct, with a world-class line-up for two concerts that includes headliners Icehouse and the Hilltop Hoods and hometown heroes the Screaming Jets and Trophy Eyes.

A series of free community events will also be held outside the race precinct across the weekend, with race fans being given the chance to meet all 25 Newcastle 500 Supercars champions at a driver signing session from 4.30pm on Thursday, 9th March at Gregson Park, Hamilton, with children’s entertainment options also on offer.

Car enthusiasts are in for a treat from 8am to 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday when the Newy Car Club hosts a display of pristine vehicles at the Newcastle Museum Forecourt, while Civic Park will be transformed into a family-friendly fun zone from 11am – 3pm on the weekend with a 27metre long slide, free face painting and tasty snack stalls. On Saturday, visitors can experience all things art and dance with hands-on creativity and messy play for toddlers, while Sunday will see local bands battle it out on stage while community members are encouraged to get involved in the drumming workshops and a silent disco.