Was the Arafura Games worth the money NT Government release report on costs

Even though the visitors spend less money while they were here than the NT Government spent million bringing back the Arafura Games, the minister responsible Natasha Fyles has branded it a success.

Minister for the Arafura Games, Natasha Fyles, addresses the media. PICTURE: JUSTIN KENNEDY

THE NT Government spent $7.2 million bringing back the nine-day Arafura Games competition, but say it’s a “success” as visitors spent $7.1 million while in the Territory.

The figures, outlined in the ‘2019 Arafura Games Report’, also claimed visitors indirectly contributed an extra $6.53 million to the NT economy — bringing the total value of the event to $13.63 million.

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The analysis, undertaken by business consultancy company IER, found 17,416 people were at the Arafura Games, including 6215 visitors who were in Darwin primarily for the event and 10,054 local Darwinites.

It found 92 per cent of 2311 people surveyed said the NT Government should continue to invest funding in events such as the Arafura Games.

Arafura Games Minister Natasha Fyles said the event was a success, and committed to bringing it back in 2021.

“The Territory Labor Government realised early on the economic and social benefits that these Games would bring to our community — this is why we promised to bring them back after they were killed off by the CLP in 2012,” she said. “

Our cafes were full, accommodation bursting and the city bustling — and now the economic impact study confirms the significant social and economic return to the Northern Territory.”

IER researchers found overall attendee satisfaction was 8.4 out of 10; with business owners giving the Arafura Games an overall support rating of 4.5 out of 5.

The main reason businesses supported the event was that it brought people to the area — with the main objection that “competitors didn’t spend money” or because regular customers moved to another area.

Hot Tamale owner David Robinson supports the Arafura Games. PICTURE: KERI MEGELUS

Hot Tamale owner David Robinson said he supported “anything” that brought more people to Darwin.

“We had a spike in trade during the Games period and it was such a buzz down at the waterfront,” he said.

All up, 1762 athletes from 46 countries took part in 15 sports, giving an overall satisfaction rating of 8.7 out of 10.

The least satisfied group surveyed was volunteers.

“Volunteers were significantly lower in their average rating,” the report found.

“‘Treat Volunteers better’ was the most common suggestion of how the event could be improved from detractors (9.0 per cent).”