Post by Andy Wright on Oct 25, 2009 14:19:32 GMT 12
Just got sent this.
It'll be interesting to see what numbers they get through the ticketed gates. I have to admit to being surprised at its return to Perth. Lovely venue but there are other cities with greater populations to feed off.
Having been to the first two, I was most disappointed with the second one as there were huge gaps of nothing between the races. The occasional aerobatic display and flypast by a Qantas Airbus (and four-ship and solo Hornets during the first one) but there needs to be more 'gap-fillers' to keep things cranking. If this was held over east, while not a good promotion for Perth obviously, there surely would be a larger Defence force effort as well as warbirds from Temora, HARS etc?
Am surprised the South Perth council hasn't angled for free entry for its residents like Temora does for its locals.
au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/new....air-race-views/
Fees for prime air race views
BEATRICE THOMAS, The West AustralianOctober 24, 2009, 2:30 am
Thousands of WA families who want a prime vantage spot to watch the Red Bull Air Race will be forced to cough up for tickets under plans by the race organisers to fence off big sections of South Perth foreshore and charge an entry fee.
Billed by the State Government in its previous three years as a free event, attracting about 300,000 spectators, the decision to make it ticketed when it returns in April has prompted accusations that organisers and the Government have shunned its community focus in favour of making a profit.
Eventscorp and Red Bull Air Race Australia declined to say yesterday how much tickets would cost, but South Perth City Council, which approved use of Sir James Mitchell Park last week, estimated the charge at $20 a head.
A report used by the council to make its decision said Red Bull Air Race GmbH had asked for ticketed areas to be introduced for up to 45,000 spectators a day in order for the event to return to Perth.
A draft plan for the event includes two fenced-off areas on the foreshore to each hold 22,500 spectators.
Red Bull Air Race said the ticketed areas would provide a "high-level spectator experience" with "prime viewing areas, large screens and commentary" and new family-friendly areas. Ticket-holders would also get free public transport.
A final plan and pricing details would be released in coming weeks, it said.
Shadow tourism minister Ljiljanna Ravlich described the move to make families pay to watch the race as "outrageous" and "mean-spirited".
"What will they charge for next, the Australia Day fireworks," she asked.
The air race was staged at Sir James Mitchell Park between 2006 and 2008 and the Government secured the event for another three years in August last year.
It had previously been free except for hospitality areas such as a High Flyers Club, Race Club and 3500-seat VIP grandstand, which will again be set up on the South Perth foreshore.
WA Council of Social Service chief executive Sue Ash said the cost would be an added burden to families already struggling.
"These events are important for the morale of our community and when a Government subsidy is actually being given to organisers then the general community has to benefit from it," she said.
Tourism Minister Liz Constable, who has highlighted the event's "free" status over the years, did not answer questions on how much the Government had invested in the event or whether it would subsidise the cost for West Australians.
"There will ample opportunity to watch the race free of charge, but people will have the option to pay to view the event from ticketed sections," she said.
Eventscorp executive director David van Ooran said the Government would not receive any proceeds from ticket sales.
South Perth mayor James Best said charging to watch the air race was a "double whammy" for local residents who now had to pay to watch the event after already having to put up with big crowds and street closures.
It'll be interesting to see what numbers they get through the ticketed gates. I have to admit to being surprised at its return to Perth. Lovely venue but there are other cities with greater populations to feed off.
Having been to the first two, I was most disappointed with the second one as there were huge gaps of nothing between the races. The occasional aerobatic display and flypast by a Qantas Airbus (and four-ship and solo Hornets during the first one) but there needs to be more 'gap-fillers' to keep things cranking. If this was held over east, while not a good promotion for Perth obviously, there surely would be a larger Defence force effort as well as warbirds from Temora, HARS etc?
Am surprised the South Perth council hasn't angled for free entry for its residents like Temora does for its locals.
au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/new....air-race-views/
Fees for prime air race views
BEATRICE THOMAS, The West AustralianOctober 24, 2009, 2:30 am
Thousands of WA families who want a prime vantage spot to watch the Red Bull Air Race will be forced to cough up for tickets under plans by the race organisers to fence off big sections of South Perth foreshore and charge an entry fee.
Billed by the State Government in its previous three years as a free event, attracting about 300,000 spectators, the decision to make it ticketed when it returns in April has prompted accusations that organisers and the Government have shunned its community focus in favour of making a profit.
Eventscorp and Red Bull Air Race Australia declined to say yesterday how much tickets would cost, but South Perth City Council, which approved use of Sir James Mitchell Park last week, estimated the charge at $20 a head.
A report used by the council to make its decision said Red Bull Air Race GmbH had asked for ticketed areas to be introduced for up to 45,000 spectators a day in order for the event to return to Perth.
A draft plan for the event includes two fenced-off areas on the foreshore to each hold 22,500 spectators.
Red Bull Air Race said the ticketed areas would provide a "high-level spectator experience" with "prime viewing areas, large screens and commentary" and new family-friendly areas. Ticket-holders would also get free public transport.
A final plan and pricing details would be released in coming weeks, it said.
Shadow tourism minister Ljiljanna Ravlich described the move to make families pay to watch the race as "outrageous" and "mean-spirited".
"What will they charge for next, the Australia Day fireworks," she asked.
The air race was staged at Sir James Mitchell Park between 2006 and 2008 and the Government secured the event for another three years in August last year.
It had previously been free except for hospitality areas such as a High Flyers Club, Race Club and 3500-seat VIP grandstand, which will again be set up on the South Perth foreshore.
WA Council of Social Service chief executive Sue Ash said the cost would be an added burden to families already struggling.
"These events are important for the morale of our community and when a Government subsidy is actually being given to organisers then the general community has to benefit from it," she said.
Tourism Minister Liz Constable, who has highlighted the event's "free" status over the years, did not answer questions on how much the Government had invested in the event or whether it would subsidise the cost for West Australians.
"There will ample opportunity to watch the race free of charge, but people will have the option to pay to view the event from ticketed sections," she said.
Eventscorp executive director David van Ooran said the Government would not receive any proceeds from ticket sales.
South Perth mayor James Best said charging to watch the air race was a "double whammy" for local residents who now had to pay to watch the event after already having to put up with big crowds and street closures.
