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Spring Carnival Generates $620million For Victoria
Premier and Minister for Racing Denis Napthine yesterday joined
Racing Victoria to release the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival
Economic Impact Study which shows the racing carnival
generated more than $620million for the Victorian economy.
“The Spring Racing Carnival is a flagship event on both the Australian
and international racing calendar. But most importantly, it is a growing
source of employment and economic benefit to Victoria,” Dr Napthine
said.
“The overall gross economic benefit to Victoria was $620.1million,
which is an increase of 7.2% on the 2011 Spring Racing Carnival.
“The 2012 carnival attracted more than 706,000 attendances to
race meetings throughout the state and injected hundreds of millions of
dollars into Victoria’s tourism, hospitality and retail industries.
“The carnival again proved to be a massive drawcard for interstate
and overseas visitors with more than 67,000 individuals visiting Victoria
for the purpose of attending the Spring Racing Carnival and accounting
for 165,000 race day attendances across the state.
“The 67,000 people who visited Victoria in 2012 for the purpose of
attending the Spring Carnival is a 19.7% increase on the previous year.
“These visitors spent more than $128million while in Victoria,
including more than $35million on accommodation and more than
$13million in the retail sector.
“This is a fantastic result that highlights the importance of cooperation
between the Victorian Coalition Government and the racing
industry in targeting high-value overseas racing patrons through our
trade missions to China, India and the Middle East,” Dr Napthine said.
Highlights of the economic impact study include:
· $53.39million spent on fashion;
· $35.53million spent on accommodation;
· $53.35million spent on food, beverages and raceday dining;
· $10.80million spent on transport; and
· $22.37million spent on retail.
“Racegoers boosted Victoria’s retail sector by splashing out on an
incredible number of fashion items to wear to carnival events. This
friday 5 april 2013 ANZ
included 66,000 pairs of shoes, 80,000 hats and fascinators and
32,000 ties,” Dr Napthine said.
The 2012 Spring Racing Carnival covered 115 race meetings across
Melbourne and country Victoria running from 22 September to 25
November 2012.
Country racing also enjoyed a successful Spring Racing Carnival with
almost 185,000 attendances over 100 racedays across the state, an
increase of 5.3% from 2011.
Racing Victoria Chief Executive Officer Bernard Saundry said the
Spring Racing Carnival was unrivalled in Australia.
“The carnival is an iconic and integral component of the state’s
sporting, social and cultural landscape and a great asset to the state of
Victoria,” Saundry said.
“Our international audience continues to climb thanks to record
levels of international participation in 2012, further promoting the state
of Victoria and the profile of Victorian racing on the world stage.”
Major Upgrades at geelong
racecoUrse coMplete
Premier and Minister for Racing Denis Napthine announced
yesterday the completion of a $700,000 major upgrade to the
Geelong racecourse, including new horse stalls, safety improvements,
hospitality facilities and a new television broadcasting studio.
“The Victorian Government is committed to the future of racing
in Geelong and is proud to announce the completion of these works
that will ensure Geelong Racecourse continues to be a premier racing
venue in Victoria,” Dr Napthine said.
“The completion of the race day horse stalls project will greatly
enhance safety for horses, trainers and strappers while also allowing
greater viewing access for owners and the public.
“The previous horse stalls were more than 30 years old and the
project included the demolition of 45 existing stalls, the installation of
40 new stalls, refurbishment of remaining stalls, plus the construction
of vet and swabbing boxes and asphalting of all horse access areas.
The horse wash bays were also upgraded.
EDITORIAL editor@anzbloodstocknews.com