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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 event organisers say the event will bring many additional visitors to the Hawkesbury, which should benefit local businesses
The event, called the Go for Broke VIC100, is being organised by Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury Sydney (Lifeline H2HS) to raise funds for mental health support services based on the Upper North Shore at Gordon. Lifeline H2HS assists residents living in Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Willoughby, Ryde, and the broader Northern Sydney beaches corridor.
The race is scheduled for Sunday, 16 November, and would involve a full closure of Bells Line of Road for the duration of the 100km ride.
While organisers say the ride will raise vital funds for suicide prevention and mental health programs at their centre, they intend to make donations to the Macarthur and Western NSW regions also.
“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.”
Lifeline says broader benefit to NSW
Lifeline H2HS, which has been operating since 1967, says the Go for Broke VIC100 is designed not only to raise funds, but to raise awareness of mental health challenges across the state.
In a statement, the charity confirmed that funds raised from the VIC100 event will be distributed to Lifeline services in Macarthur and Western NSW, areas with some of the highest suicide rates in the country. They also said that Hawkesbury would benefit from the race’s media and tourism promotion.
Council to consider closure
The matter is expected to come before Hawkesbury City Council in August, where councillors will need to weigh up the public benefit of the mental health fundraiser against the potential economic losses to local businesses.
While Lifeline H2HS has confirmed the race route will be fully supported by police, traffic controllers and volunteers, business owners say this doesn’t address the issues of concerned raised by the local community.
“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 accomodation 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 a tractors race to raise money for mental health services in Hawkesbury LGA?”
With the summer tourism season approaching, stakeholders across the district will be watching closely to see whether council supports the road closure—or asks the organisers to find an alternative route.
“Will our Councillors stand up for local businesses, workers and ratepayers? I guess we must wait and see," said Fiona Germaine.
