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Twilight time for the Grand Prix
13-03-2008 "Formula one CEO Bernie Ecclestone's recent threat to withdraw the grand prix from Melbourne in 2010 unless organisers agree to a night race is further proof that the grand prix is already in its twilight years, with falling attendances and rising costs," Greens MLC Sue Pennicuik said.
"Lighting up 300 hectares of parkland would add an estimated $38 million in costs to an event which is already economically unviable," she said.
"The night race held in Qatar last Sunday used 5.4 megawatts of energy, and the 1600 lighting projectors which will be required for the upcoming race in Singapore will use 3.8 megawatts. This is enough to power thousands of homes.
"The costs of the grand prix, which have never been fully revealed by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation or the state government, have risen from an estimated $10.6 million in 2003 to around $40 million this year.
"The government should move to put the lights out for good and abandon this anachronistic, wasteful, gas-guzzling and sexist event and use the funds saved to upgrade the Palais Theatre. This would be much more appreciated in the city of Port Phillip and for all Victorian into the future," Ms Pennicuik said.
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For further information: Sue Pennicuik 0407 000 270