Mitchell St Mile could go biennial under cost saving plan

THE future of the Mitchell St Mile as an annual stand-alone event is uncertain

The Territory Government gave no details on whether Mitchell St Mile will be run every two years.

THE future of the Mitchell St Mile as an annual stand-alone event is uncertain.

Hidden away among the “budget repair” measures released by the Northern Territory Government last week was a single line which belied a plan to save $200,000 from the Department of Tourism, sport and Culture budget through efficiencies ”including the Mitchell St Mile in the Arafura Games program”.

The Mitchell St Mile, which is the world’s richest mile footrace, is run annually, while the newly revived Arafura Games is a biennial program.

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The Territory Government yesterday could give no details on whether that meant the race would now be run only every two years.

Opposition Leader Gary Higgins said the Mitchell St Mile should remain a stand-alone event.

“Piggy backing on the triumph and respect of the Mile is a clear indicator that the government has no faith in the Arafura Games and needs to use the success of another established event as a prop-up,” he said,

“Labor is risking losing the event altogether and turning it into a fun run if they continue down this path.”

Folding the events together would be a “retrograde” step for the Mitchell St Mile, Mr Higgins said.

“It’s not even being held at the right time of the year to attract the best of the best athletes,” he said.

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In a statement, Arafura Games Minister Natasha Fyles was unable to give any further information about the Mitchell St Mile’s future.

She said she was “confident” the Arafura Games would continue past this year’s event.

“Athletes started arriving last night and we have already had reports of multiple hotels in the CBD being fully booked,” Ms Fyles said.

“Once the games are completed, we will do cost-benefit analysis to determine their success.”

The Arafura Games begin on Friday with an opening ceremony at Darwin Waterfront.