NSW Government ‘apathetic’ and failing to drive major sporting events for Sydney
RACING boss and footy commissioner Peter V’landys has fired a rocket at an “apathetic” NSW government for failing to make the most of Sydney to promote sporting events — saying Victorians were miles ahead despite having the “most dreary city on Earth with the worst weather”.
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- The Everest 2018: Contenders for world’s richest turf race
- The Everest 2017: Race is $100 million boost to Sydney
RACING tsar Peter V’landys has fired a salvo at the state government declaring its bureaucrats have a “can’t do” attitude and are “apathetic” when it comes to driving major Sydney events.
Racing NSW CEO Mr V’landys, who masterminded the world’s richest turf race The Everest, said the state’s political leaders needed to “step up now and stop bowing to Yes Minister-style public servants” who expect Sydney people to consume major Victorian events but did little to bolster events in our own city.
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He said Victorian leaders were leaving our state government for dead.
Mr V’landys, who is also Australian Rugby League Commissioner, is a highly respected Australian businessman and his comments are a blow to a government intent on driving business in Sydney.
He revealed he is trying to take The Everest to the “next level” but is repeatedly stymied by bureaucrats.
“Melbourne has the smelly Yarra river, it’s got the most dreary city on Earth with the worst weather yet NSW bows and scrapes to it all the time,” he said.
“We consume the Melbourne Cup, the AFL grand final, the Australian Tennis Open.
“In stark contrast Sydney has the most beautiful city in the world and without any doubt the best harbour in the world and we do nothing to drive our own assets.”
Mr V’landys said NSW public servants were thwarting events by having a “can’t do attitude”, putting red tape and obstacles in the way.
“The government has to start being forceful and use the assets of Sydney rather than trying to hide them,” he said.
“We never use the Harbour Bridge to promote anything.
“We never use the Opera House to promote anything.
“Everyone is so possessive of them that we’re not promoting Sydney. Rather than looking for reasons to use these assets, they give you pages of reasons why you can’t.”
Racing NSW has pitched a bold exhibit on the Sydney Harbour Bridge to promote The Everest and is still waiting on bureaucratic sign-off.
The pitch includes draping the horse colours off the side of the bridge — an image that would go international.
The Everest is credited with injecting $100 million in economic benefit for the state in its first year, driving tourism and commerce around the event.
The first running of The Everest was only second to the Melbourne Cup in wagering turnover on the NSW TAB.
“It’s the most talked-about race in NSW and internationally at the moment, Sydney has a chance to promote it but there’s just road blocks,” Mr V’landys said.
The Everest is viewed in racing circles as an event that could eventually rival the Melbourne Cup.
“But the only way that’s going to happen is with the NSW government getting behind it,” Mr V’landys said.
Mr V’landys said this city was held back by an “apathetic” approach from government in promoting events.
“One thing the Victorian government has over NSW is the conscientiousness of being a Victorian and how parochial they are,” he said.
“They would fight for Victoria. In NSW we seem to be apathetic.”
He singled out Destination NSW as one “proactive organisation in the state”.
