Events boost to bottom line

A SERIES of events and developments will prove money-spinners for Cardinia Shire businesses.
That’s the opinion of Cardinia chief executive Garry McQuillan who expects the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, new Pakenham Racecourse, regional tennis centre and a motorsports park to create major economic spin-offs.
Mr McQuillan said the $60 million Pakenham Racing Club development, expected to be up and running in 2013, would boost the area’s economy.
“We envisage ourselves in Cardinia to have a racing facility bordering on metropolitan standard,” he said.
“We (will) start to create a mini-economic centre around the racing industry.
“There’s an opportunity for people coming to Pakenham to stop and eat before going to the races.”
The $3.86 million regional tennis centre in Pakenham, which is nearing completion on Webster Way, will also be a coup for the shire.
Mr McQuillan was hopeful some quality tennis players would train on the 18-courts in the lead-up to the Australia Open.
The proposed Cardinia Motor Recreation and Education Park, earmarked for a parcel of VicRoads-owned land off Oakview Lane, Pakenham, could generate more than $5 million a year and provide employment for 60 people.
“We know the noise is an issue … but the economic benefits for the whole of Cardinia and the opportunity for people to get better driving training … is going to be enormous,” Mr McQuillan said.
“It’s a question of whether the State Government will give us the land.”
The Tom Quilty Gold Cup will see riders and support crews from across Australia and overseas converge on the Cardinia Shire from 14 to 21 September.
Mr McQuillan said the nation’s premier endurance ride would create $800,000 of economic spin-offs locally.
“I just wish we had more accommodation,” he said.