Motor racing in Australia's Parliamentary Zone: successful event tourism or the Emperor's new clothes?

Abstract

This article examines the motor racing events held in the Parliamentary Zone, Canberra, during the June long weekends of 2000, 2001 and 2002. It assesses claims, repeated frequently by supporters of event tourism strategies, that these events benefited Canberra and its residents. It then considers whether staging such events in a significant national place concords with values argued to be fundamental to sound urban planning, including social justice, democracy and ecological sustainability. The article considers both local impacts of the motor racing events, as well as broader implications and messages relevant to environmental and public health issues. While recognising that these events provide an entertainment spectacle and a cultural experience previously unavailable in Canberra, the article presents evidence that the motor races exhibit a range of negative impacts, and argues that some of the claimed benefits are more illusory than real.

Keywords:

• Motor racing
• public space
• event tourism
• urban planning
• Canberra

Notes

Correspondence Address: Paul Tranter, School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, University College, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Paul J. Tranter

Correspondence Address: Paul Tranter, School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, University College, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia.