This announcement just popped into my computer. As much as I personally dislike Supercross, I still reckon this series is a positive step forward for our sport. Canning the Parramatta event because four basket weavers objected is yet another example of how gutless local government has become in this country. Welcome to life in the new millenium. It's going to get a whole lot worse.
JUST FOUR SPOIL SPORTS RUIN THE PARRAMATTA SUPERCROSS
September 11, 2008 12:00am
IT would have generated $1 million for western Sydney and thrilled tens of thousands of spectators - except for the sensitive ears of four objectors.
A world class Supercross event at Parramatta stadium had sold more than 10,000 tickets.
But Parramatta Council rejected the inaugural Australasian Supercross Championship in November after four objections.
Join our petition: The People for the Parramatta Supercoss
It leaves Sydney as the only major city in Australia without a stage of the new championships being held in Brisbane, Townsville, Wollongong, Geelong, Adelaide and Perth.
The event was to have been broadcast live around Australia and replayed throughout Europe, the US, Asia and New Zealand.
Leading the campaign against the Supercross was the Parramatta Park Trust, headed by former Gough Whitlam Government minister Tom Uren and trust director Chris Levins. The objection said: "The motocross will be a noisy event, far noisier than a football game with industrial levels of noise which will carry across the open landscape."
They are one of just four objectors including Government House, the Catholic Education Office and the Sisters of Mercy.
Promoter Michael Porra of Global Action Sports said he would appeal the decision through the Land and Environment Court or the NSW Government.
"We're not asking for money, we just want the assistance of the local area," Mr Porra said.
Parramatta Stadium venue manager Luke Coleman said yesterday the decision would affect other events for western Sydney.
"This sounds the death knell for other major events coming out here. If this event is not staged it's a significant setback, not only for the stadium, but for Western Sydney," Mr Coleman said.
Parramatta councillor Chris Worthington, who moved the development application be rejected, said four was enough.
"I'm there to represent the Parramatta constituents, not the stadium quite frankly," he said.
The Supercross, backed by motocross star Chad Reed, was estimated to sell out 20,000 seats worth almost $1.5 million about four-times bigger than any previous motocross in Australia.
Almost 40 per cent of ticket sales had gone to tourists from Queensland, Victoria and country NSW and promoters estimated about 4000 would stay in or around Parramatta for the weekend.