Council takes on board Hamilton 400 review
A series of resolutions aimed at continually improving the Hamilton 400 event and its impact on Hamilton were passed by Council at a meeting on 17 September. The resolutions come as a result of Council considering the findings of Peter Stubb's independent review of the Hamilton 400 and cover a range of focus areas:
Closure of the Hamilton 400 circuit to road traffic Following appropriate legal process, roads included in the circuit would be closed from midnight on Wednesday 16 April in 2009. This to be reviewed further after the 2009 event. The closure will allow promoters with a concentrated timeframe within which they can carry out event preparations and will reduce disruption to the area in the week leading up to the event.
Inclusion of Frankton within the circuit In principle Council and the Promoter support including the Frankton business district within the venue precinct. Council emphasised that the Frankton community would determine whether this proposal was adopted. This would be contingent on adequate management of the effects on the community and extensive consultation with businesses and residents by the Frankton Community Liaison Group. Council stipulated that this feedback should be central to the Promoter deciding whether Frankton could come into the venue for 2010 and subsequent years.
Tree pruning, transplanting or removal Council support the pruning or removal of the plane tree on the corner of Mill Street and Seddon Road if it is subject to a publicly notified resource consent. In the case that the consent is non notified, Council resolved that the issue should return for further consideration. That further consideration would include information on pruning the tree and feedback from the Tree Trust and Tui 2000 organisations. Council has also resolved to consider removing one tree and transplanting four trees, two in Seddon Road and three in Hinemoa Park.
Creation of additional barrier openings Council will commission additional barrier blocks to create 30 new openings in the race circuit barrier. This will assist in reducing the impact of the circuit build on Frankton and facilitate more pedestrian and cyclist access points.
Mandatory fence modifications. Once confirmed as mandatory by motorsport's international governing body, FIA, Council will proceed with modifications to debris fence panels to accommodate points for four additional photographers, four additional TV camera operators and 10 additional marshalls/flag points.
Civil works at the Empire and Kent Streets intersection Council will undertake civil works at Turn 3, the approach to Turn 6 and at the intersection of Empire and Kent Streets. The works include the rectification of depression in the road and are mandatory safety improvements to the circuit as required by motorsport's international governing body, FIA. A portion of the works are covered by warranty and will be rectified by the contractors.
New Commerce Street pedestrian bridge Council will support the application for a resource consent for a new pedestrian bridge to cross the circuit from Commerce Street over High Street. Council requested that staff report back with information on the cost of a new bridge versus the cost of redeploying half a temporary bridge, the impact on race pedestrians of redeploying the bridge proposed and to identify what mitigation activity is proposed to assist with managing foot traffic around the redeployed bridge site.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock says that "in the context of the report's findings it is important to recognise the huge extent of what was achieved in the event's inaugural year. Over 95% of visitors surveyed rated their experience of Hamilton as a host city very positively. The event also brought $28 million worth of new money into the city – significantly more than was originally forecast.
"In partnership with the promoters, Council's intention has always been to continually improve the event and its impact on Hamilton. The findings of the Review are key to fulfilling that commitment. These resolutions are well considered and come as a result of extensive public feedback. They reflect Council's commitment to resolving the issues highlighted, most notably in the high profile areas of maximising the benefits that can be enjoyed by the Frankton district and resolving ticket holder viewing issues."
Council asked that all other recommendations from the Review be considered for implementation by the V8 Project Control Group which comprises senior Council staff, the promoters and the Chair of the Frankton Liaison Group.
Where appropriate, funding for particular recommendations will sit either with Council, with the promoter or jointly with both parties. Any costs to be met by Council will be funded from the V8 Event Reserve.
Click here for a copy of the full Hamilton 400 Event Review.