Newcastle council endorses proposed 2023 event date

Supercars’ return to Newcastle has gained more momentum with councillors voting to support the March 2023 dates.

The 2023 event will be the final to be held under the existing agreement between Supercars Australia, City of Newcastle and Destination NSW.

The event has been slated for March 10-12 next year as the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship opener.

It came after Supercars applied for Heritage NSW approval, with the March date proposed as part of the application.

Newcastle would be host to the first race of the all-new Gen3 cars, with the Ford Mustang to be joined by the Chevrolet Camaro.

The event's staging is still subject to approval from State Government agencies including the Heritage Council of NSW, NSW Office of Sport and Destination NSW.

Supercars last raced in Newcastle in 2019, the circuit having made its debut in 2017.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said council's support of the March 2023 date ensures clarity for local business and residents.

"Clarifying these new dates in March provides a good alternative to the previous season-closing events in terms of maximising the potential of the event from an economic perspective while also minimising disruption to the community and business operators," Cr Nelmes said.

"The most recent economic assessment report by Ernst and Young found that on average, the Newcastle 500 delivered $36.2 million annually in total economic impact, which when compared with the $1.6 million cost of Council supporting the race, equates to $22.60 being returned to the local economy for every $1 council invested in the race.

"Local tourism and accommodation providers that have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 will be looking forward to benefiting from the economic stimulus provided by the Newcastle 500's likely return in March next year."

Council has also committed to partner in the preparation and public exhibition of a community engagement plan in order to deliver extensive and broad community and stakeholder consultation on the potential to extend the current agreement beyond 2023, should the NSW Government make that decision.

"The future of the Newcastle 500 beyond the final race is a decision of the NSW Government in the first instance as the consent authority for the race," Cr Nelmes added.

"Any inclusion of Newcastle as a potential host city for another five years will be subject to broad community and stakeholder consultation, and a decision of the elected Council after the proposed event next mid to late 2023."

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