Community divided over race’s impact

THE inaugural Towards Zero Race Torquay proved divisive for commuters and business owners.

Those who attended the race itself on Thursday last week were generally very positive, but some businesses were left frustrated as they found themselves largely cut off from customers.

Zen Coastal Living owner Tiffany Edwards said the race was detrimental to businesses along Gilbert Street and throughout town.

“It was just terrible. The TattsLotto had a $40 million draw where they would normally have a queue out the door, and there was no one in there.

“I could have shut; I had one sale all day. I cannot believe that it was allowed to go ahead with the amount of businesses it killed.”

She said the effect of the race could have been better communicated.

“They gave us the council thing that everybody got with the race circuit. But there was never any communication about how it would affect us as businesspeople.”

Commerce Torquay president Jeff Crow said residents and businesses could have been more responsive to the information that was given.

“People were quite complacent and didn’t really want to take on any information that would have told them if they had gone in a different direction or left at a different time, life would have been easier.

Surf Coast Shire general manager of environment and development Ransce Salan said the council had engaged with the community leading up to the race.

“Consultation was undertaken last year with schools and the bus companies. This resulted in the two-hour gap between races, which was specifically to assist with school pickups and bus timetables.”

He said the council was pleased with how the event ran but would take any criticism on board.

“We have received a lot of positive feedback from residents, visitors and local traders. We have also received some constructive comments highlighting people’s experiences on the day.

“While council does not organise the event, as a key stakeholder we will ensure that feedback is worked through by those directly responsible for delivering the event. Feedback will assist the event organiser in improving traffic management and pre-event communications for future events. It will also help us pinpoint key areas to improve next year.”