In a busy weekend of election announcements, The Bend Motorsport Park (TBMP) in Tailem Bend is tipped to become the home of motorsport in South Australia with the Marshall Liberal Government today announcing two significant projects for the iconic site which will attract new events, boost the economy and create jobs.
Today’s Liberal announcement details their plans, with the first project being a new $30 million dragway which will enable The Bend to host A-grade full length (quarter-mile) events once constructed – helping to bring brand new events to South Australia.
This is expected to attract more than 120,000 attendees per year, create more than 200 jobs and generate more than $13 million of economic activity per year. The new dragway will receive $2 million from the Marshall Liberal Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
The Marshall Liberal Government has also announced today it will invest in The Bend’s Big4 Holiday Park, committing half a million dollars towards a $1.6 million upgrade of the park.
Premier Steven Marshall said The Bend Motorsport Park is the natural home of all motorsports in South Australia.
“We want to make The Bend the unequivocal home of motorsport in South Australia,” Premier Marshall said.
“By investing $2.5 million to support a brand new dragway and a major redevelopment of the accommodation available at The Bend we will see a huge influx of new events, new people and in turn the creation of hundreds of jobs.”
The Bend Motorsport Park Managing Director Sam Shahin welcomed the additional State Government support.
“Infrastructure support is a key element to increasing visitation to the region. The Coorong, Murray River and Lakes region has so much to offer in terms of unique visitor opportunities. The Bend is committed to the region, and to growing the broader visitor economy to South Australia,” he said.
“The investment in The Bend Holiday Park enables us to expand our visitor experiences and to attract even more people to the region. We have enjoyed hosting visitors from all over the world, from interstate holiday makers, to locals looking to explore SA, and large school groups camping on site using the destination as a base for regional visits.”
South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said it was great news for Murray River, Lakes & Coorong tourism operators.
“This is one of the largest recent investments in the region, alongside the new Bridgeport Hotel in Murray Bridge,” Mr Harrex said.
“We’ve seen accommodation occupancy in regional South Australia reach an all-time record-high for the March 2021 quarter, so there is strong visitor demand for just this.
“Everything that is helping to grow the offerings and experiences for visitors to The Bend, increase accommodation options in our regions, and give visitors more reasons to linger longer is good news for SA.”
Further information on the Dragway:
- The facility is anticipated to host 55 events a year which are expected to attract more than 120,000 attendees.
- The Dragway will also support an economy of drag racing industries including automotive suppliers, machinists, engine builders, fabricators, chassis builders, painters and mechanics.
- Close to $30 million will be spent on construction and will generate 197 construction jobs and will secure 15 ongoing jobs at The Bend Motorsport Park. It is also estimated to support an estimated $27.7 million to the state economy.
- Dragway events each year are estimated to generate new expenditure in the state of $13.37 million and support a total of 82 regional jobs.
- The construction company is South Australian, so the expenditure stays in South Australia.
- Upon completion, national events will be held at the Dragway, with championship rounds already confirmed subject to construction.
Further information on the Big4 Holiday Park upgrade:
- The project includes 10 one-bedroom self-contained cabins, windbreaks, a mini golf-course, multi sports area with basketball half-court, soccer nets and BMX park, establishment of a nature trail and construction of a recreation room.
- It is expected the redevelopment will boost the site as a gateway to the Coorong, as well as increase both interstate and intrastate visitation to the region.
- The grant is the latest to be announced under the South Australian Tourism Commission’s $20 million Tourism Industry Development Fund.
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