Summernats Review by ACT Government

[Quasi]

Received this in my email a few minutes ago:

"596/04 24 December 2004

SUMMERNATS WORKING GROUP ESTABLISHED

Chief Minister and Minister for the Environment Jon Stanhope today
announced
the establishment of the Summernats Working Group to provide advice on the
environmental, economic and social impacts of Summernats utilising a
cost/benefit approach.

"The Government committed to holding a review of the Summernats event in
order to develop comprehensive research as to the benefits of the event to
the ACT," Mr Stanhope said.

"There have been a variety of views expressed to me by the community over a
period of time regarding this event, but in the absence of detailed
research
and considered advice, it is difficult to make an informed judgement.

"The Working Group is an interdepartmental committee chaired by Jocelyn
Plovits from the Chief Minister's Department.

"I have asked that the Working Group report its findings to me by the end
of
February 2005.

"The first task of the review will be to gather information and make an
assessment of Summernats 2005 and incorporate this into the report," Mr
Stanhope said.

"The process of developing the report will include consultation with
relevant stakeholders including the residents near the event, the
Summernats
organisers, business organisations and the government agencies involved in
providing advice to, or regulating activities at, Summernats.

"The outcomes of the consultation will form part of the report, and the
terms of reference for the Working Group are consistent with the
requirements of the Environment Protection Act 1997.

"The Government will consider the report and its recommendations with a
view
to determining a continuing and appropriate regime for the Summernats
event," Mr Stanhope said.

A public notice inviting submissions to the review will be published in
January, with the deadline for submissions being 10 February 2005.

Submissions can be sent to: Summernats Working Group
C/- Strategic Projects and Implementation
Chief Ministers Department
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601

Media Contacts: Penny Farnsworth 6205 0434(w) 0417 481 407(m)
penny.farnsworth@act.gov.au
Christina Myers 6205 9777(w) 0438 289 714(m) christina.myers@act.gov.au"

As usual, a politician gets it very wrong. If John Stanhope requires, or is
even interested in, "ALL" relevent and necessary information on what impact
the event has, both beneficial and detrimental, then he would have given the
committee until at least the end of April, not February. Small businesses in
the ACT would not have definate "official", or acceptable, revenue figures
until that time, due to the end of the 'Business Activity Statement'
financial quarter being March 31. Even at this point, a number of businesses
don't have their "BAS" completed and submitted until as late as sometime in
May.

Without these revenue figures there is no way of gauging that area of the
impact Summernats 2005 has had on the ACT. It seems to me that, once again,
the rules of the game have been set on an un-level playing field. It is a
forgone conclusion that the most response is likely to be from the residents
of the Watson, Downer, Hackett, area, as they are quick to complain,
protest, and petition, when the opportunity arises, something they have
continued to do for a number of years, regardless of reason, or necessity.

NOTE: I need to add something at this point. Although I have served as an official at every Summernats, I in no way speak for the 'Street Machine Services' organisation in any capacity whatsoever. All of my opinions are exactly that.