Racing and Wagering Western Australian (RWWA) and Gloucester Park Harness Racing (GPHR), has today released an Economic and Social Impact Report of the 2015 TABtouch Perth Inter Dominion Championships, revealing an overall $9.54million contribution to the WA economy.
The Report, which was commissioned by Harness Racing Australia and conducted by consultants IER, provides an assessment of the direct economic impact generated in Western Australia as a result of hosting the event.
The series consisted of four race meetings, three held at Gloucester Park and one at Donaldson Park Bunbury, running from late November to early December.
Within the host cities (Perth and Bunbury), the series generated $8.04million in economic contribution to the State and was responsible for supporting over 73 full-time equivalent positions.
Furthermore, the series also generated a further $1.50million in economic contribution, as a result of activities occurring in other part of the State outside of the host cities, and supported the equivalent of 13 full-time jobs.
The report also highlighted that the 2015 TABtouch Perth Inter Dominion attracted a crowd of 21,099 across the four race meetings, with 30.7% of attendances coming from outside of the host cities.
Local tourism and businesses within Perth and Bunbury received significant benefits as a result of the race meetings being held, with $2.28million in visitor expenditure and with a large portion of this being a result of interstate visitors travelling to the host cities for the primary purpose of attending the events.
“The result proves what a beneficial event the Inter Dominion is to the Western Australian economy and we will continued to build on this over the next two years” said John Burt, GPHR President.
Last year it was announced the Inter Dominion would be returning to its origin of Western Australia for three years, starting in 2015.
Known as Australasia’s greatest harness racing event, the Inter Dominion Grand Final is worth $1.1million, making it the richest pacing race in the world, and the overall series worth $1.8million in prize money.
“The Inter Dominion forms part of the RWWA’s broader strategic vision to revitalise and energise harness racing in Western Australian, and over the three years ending in 2018,RWWA will have invested $8.15m in stakes money, sponsorship and capital infrastructure,” said RWWA CEO Richard Burt.
The 2016 TABtouch Inter Dominion will kick-off on 25 November 2016 at GPHR with Heat 1, culminating with the Grand Final on 9 December 2016.
For further information regarding the series visit www.perthinterdominion.com.au.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Michael Radley
Gloucester Park Harness Racing
P: (08) 9323 3510
E: mradley@gloucesterpark.com.au
