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By Fiona Germaine
Charity bike race sparks business backlash
A proposed charity bike race from Penrith to Mount Victoria this coming November is drawing criticism from some Hawkesbury businesses along the Bells Line of Road, who say the event will cost them tens of thousands of dollars in lost trade.
But the organisers say the event will bring many additional visitors to Hawkesbury, which should benefit local businesses
The event, called the Go for Broke VIC100, is being organised by GO4VIC 100 to raise funds for three mental health support services. One service Lifeline Harbour (Sydney) 2 Hawkesbury (Brooklyn) 2 is based on the Upper North Shore at Gordon which assists residents living in Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Willoughby, Ryde, and the broader Northern Sydney beaches corridor. The others are based in Macarthur and Bathurst.
The race is scheduled for Sunday, 16 November, and will involve full closure of Bells Line of Road for the duration of the 100km ride. It will start in Penrith and transit through Hawkesbury LGA finishing at Mt Victoria.
“We’re paying for their charity”
The Bells Line of Road Business Council (BLOR BC) has strongly objected to the proposed road closure, arguing it will directly impact dozens of agritourism, food and accommodation businesses from Bilpin to Kurrajong, many of whom rely on weekend trade.
“This charity supports the Upper North Shore and Northern Beaches—some of the wealthiest parts of the state,” said BLOR BC Director Fiona Germaine. “Why are Hawkesbury businesses, who already operate on tight margins, being asked to bear the cost of helping them?”
BLOR BC has calculated that just one local business in Bilpin had takings of $25,000 on the same Sunday in November last year—a loss that would likely be replicated across more than 15 similar businesses in the Bilpin district alone. Added to this is the loss of a day’s work of in excess of 50 local people employed in these businesses making losses across the district heading towards half a million dollars.
“That’s just Bilpin,” Ms Germaine added. “We haven’t even counted Kurrajong, Kurmond, or Grose Vale Road. For many of us, November is a peak season.”
“Fairness affects everyone’s mental health”
“This isn’t about opposing mental health support,” said one local business owner. “It’s about fairness and that affects everyone’s mental health. Why should small businesses here foot the bill for a charity ride benefiting people who live in a much more privileged area?
Peter Sterelny, a tourist accommodation owner in Berambing, added, " “How would they feel about us asking for the Pacific Highway through the North Shore to be closed during peak hour for tractors race to raise money for mental health services in Hawkesbury LGA?”
Council supports race leaving business considering options
At its August meeting Council approved the closure of BLOR for this race. With the summer tourism season approaching, stakeholders across the district are considering what to do.
“We were hoping Council would stand up for local businesses, workers and ratepayers.
So now we must consider what to do next to protect our businesses” said Fiona Germaine.
