V8 report card: Outstanding effort but still room for improvement
As the dust settles after the biggest weekend Hamilton has ever seen, Council elected members have nothing but praise for how Hamilton residents responded to the challenge of hosting the largest annual event in New Zealand.
And while infrastructure deconstruction is underway, a post analysis of the event and planning for next year has already begun.
Numbers over the V8 weekend surpassed all expectations with 172,000 people attending the 3 day Hamilton 400 Supercars events, and a sell out crowd of 24,000 attending the Super 12 Chief vs Crusaders match at Waikato Stadium.
Hamilton mayor Bob Simcock says the way the people of Hamilton responded to the logistical challenge set a new standard for New Zealand cities.
“This weekend Hamilton set an example of how cities could and should be. Many thousands used the free public transport, leaving our roads clear and accessible for unprecedented numbers of visitors. Behaviour in the city was exemplary. The police reported a lower crime rate than on an average weekend and the atmosphere and good-will amongst the crowd was tremendous.
“I’ve received endless comments and congratulations regarding our city’s hospitality and friendliness, our passion, our vision, our professionalism and the outright guts it took take this event on the way we have. Every single Hamiltonian should take a bow.”
CEO Michael Redman says that he has been thoroughly impressed by the passion and commitment of all Council staff who have been involved in the project.
“Throughout the lead up to the event, Hamilton City Council staff have gone above and beyond the call of duty to exceed expectations and meet crucial deadlines in all sorts of ways that we did not originally imagine.
“Over the weekend many of Council’s staff worked tirelessly to ensure the reputation of the city and the overall visitor experience was enhanced. The enthusiasm and pride of our staff towards this city is hugely motivating.“
Tony Cochrane, Chairman of V8 Supercars also praised the work of Council, as well as event Promoters CSML for creating such a brilliant event and atmosphere.
“You have created an absolute world-class facility and the job you’ve have done here by anybody's calculations is nothing short of magnificent. New Zealand can be proud this weekend; Hamilton has staged what is the country's biggest weekend sporting event, with great crowds, a terrific atmosphere and tremendous co-operation on every level. “
Mr Simcock says that despite a near perfect score card for the event, Council was already identifying areas for improvement for future years.
“There are a number of areas we want to look at closely. We are getting excellent and balanced feedback that will help us drill right down and ensure that next year we lift our performance another 10% at least.”
Council has put in place a formal V8 review process which will be overseen by an independent chair. The review will also serve to meet the review condition in the resource consent for the event. The outcome of the of the assessment will be comprehensive Event Review and Monitoring Report which will be presented within three months of the completion of the event.
The review will incorporate an analysis of performance against of all the conditions contained in the resource consent, the outcome of all debriefs held with event authorities such as emergency services and road control and complete summary of any complaints received.
The review will also closely examine aspects of the race that include communication and marketing, project management, financial management, regulatory management and the relationship with the promoter.
Feedback from the Community Liaison Group will play an important part of the review as well and the group has been boosted with the participation of three City Councillors; Kay Gregory, Angela O’Leary, and John Gower. The liaison group will be the formal channel for all feedback regarding issues pertaining to Frankton.
An early part of the review includes Council meetings with central city hospitality and retail providers in order to capture feedback.
The meetings are as follows:
Retailers:
Tuesday 29 April
6-8pm
Council Reception Lounge
Garden Place
Licensed businesses:
Wednesday 30 April
10am-12noon
Council Reception Lounge
Garden Place
Meetings with the Frankton community will follow and be announced separately.
An announcement regarding the appointment of the independent review chairperson will be made next week.
Members of the public are invited to provide feedback to Council at: