Essay, Research Paper
Issues Part -B-
Was the Grand Prix, promoted as “The Great Race” which was
held at Albert Park beneficial for Melbourne, or was it just
a huge waste of taxpayers money? The race was televised to
650 million people in 130 different countries is expected to
pump $50 million into the Victorian economy every year and
boost tourism enormously.
I along with the owners of seventy-two percent of hotels, motels,
restaurants and other entertainment complexes agree that
Albert Park having the Grand Prix will have a positive impact
on business. Infact it pumped $10 – $15 million into local
business. This will mean these businesses did put on more
part time staff who will be gaining valuable work experience
and there will also be a flow on effect to suppliers of these
industries. Fifty-nine percent of interstate visitors and
forty five percent of overseas visitors would not have come
to Adelaide in a two year period because of the Grand Prix if
not for the race. By Albert Park getting the Grand Prix
created between 1000-1500 new jobs. The Grand Prix will
promote Victoria on an international scale with international
press, television and media caring out a world wide coverage
of this event. This could convince people to come and visit
Melbourne and would also be a major tourism boost.
Approximately $23.8 million has been spent overhauling the
park and upgrading the Lake side track. They built better
fences and barricades to help protect spectators in case of a
crash, and the track is said to be the safest and finest in
the world, creating a benchmark for Albert Park. Temporary
seating will cater for 150,000 people, and there was
approximately an attendance of 400,000 over the four days.
9,000 part-time jobs and 1,000 full-time jobs were created
over the weekend.
The “greenies” are still trying to stop the race at Albert
Park. First it was “Save The Park” and now it s “Stop The
Grand Prix.” At first they protested about the cutting down
of hundreds of trees to make way for the track. But this has
been overcome by the replanting of 5000 new trees which would
cover 16 football ovals. This is almost double the amount of
trees that were there previously. They don t care about the
huge impact that the race had on Melbourne, instead they
unsuccessfully protest against it and by doing so it has cost
the Victorian taxpayers $1.3 million. But the track has
already been built and the first race held, so there is no
chance of it being removed and the park could never be
transformed back to its original state. Although there was
approximately 5,000 tons of rubbish, it has all been cleaned
up and in the process, a number of people have gained
temporary employment.
The residents of Albert Park that disagree with the idea for
the Grand Prix. They say it would spoil the “Parks Effect”
and the fumes will kill all plant and animal life there
previously. They say their houses will be engulfed with fumes
and that it would not be very safe for their young children.
They do not feel safe with their houses so close to the
track. But on the other hand because their houses are so
close to the track the value of their homes will rise.
Because the race was held so recently it is hard to judge how
big an impact it had on the economy. Probably at the same
time next year would be a better time to judge the impact it
had. But already we can see the benefits, Albert Park is now
known on a international scale, many new jobs have been
created, local and big business have also benefited due to
tourism. So it is quite obvious that the race overall was a
success with no thanks to the protesters.