Essay/Term paper: Was the grand prix beneficial for melbourne

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Technology

Was The Grand Prix Beneficial For Melbourne

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.