Authorities are worried about race-goers’ safety ahead of the Bathurst 1000 event this weekend, which will be held in torrential rain across NSW.
The main points
- BOM predicts more than 115mm rain in Bathurst over the next few days
- SES warns race participants that campgrounds could be inundated in the vicinity
- Over 200,000 people are expected to attend this race. This will bring $25 million into the local economy.
The supercar event is expected to attract more than 200,000 people, many of whom will camp in the Midwest.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), expects Bathurst, New South Wales to get more than 115mm of rainfall between Wednesday and Sunday. 30mm are expected Sunday when the main race.
David Rankin (spokesman for the state emergency service) said the “significant amount rain” that is expected will likely close down the camps.
He said, “Many people will arrive in town without booking accommodation and hope for free camping at the parks.”
“There will be the usual camps where people can cast a booty, or a tent. These will be flooded.”
Two weeks ago, heavy rains in Bathurst caused flooding and forced the closure of camps. (ABC Central West: Xanthe Gregg)
The Police Paddock camp which houses more than 1000 people has been relocated to higher ground in the city, in preparation for moderate flooding.
Rankin claimed that heavy rains had flooded the camp site two weeks prior.
He stated that there is a strong possibility of flooding.
Many visitors stay in the surrounding towns of Orange, Lithgow, Blayney, and Blayney if they book local campgrounds and hotels. They then have to drive into town.
Rankin stated that race-goers need to be careful when travelling to and from the race.
He said, “People will camp anywhere in these areas and race. So we ask people to be very sane regarding the condition of roads.”
Concerns regarding the local economy
This race attracts over 200,000 spectators and is considered one of Australia’s most important.
It was producing $25 million annually before the pandemic.
Bathurst 1000 has operated at a reduced capacity since the pandemic over the past two years. This has resulted in the city spending $20 million annually.Supplied: Supercars)
Robert Taylor, Bathurst Mayor, said that he was worried about the impact of rain on crowd numbers.
He said, “It would’ve been a large crowd now because of the weather and some might pull out.”
Bathurst MP Paul Toole was also deputy prime minister and Bathurst MP. He stated that it was crucial for the local economy, after two years’ unrest and decreased crowds because of the pandemic.
“It’s been several decades since a large number of people returned,” he stated.
“This excitement is building up, there are camps that have been here the past week, there are families here because it’s school holidays.”
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Originally published at Brisbane News Station
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