Cessnock City Council Opens Dialogue on Wine Country 500

Published on 29 November 2023

Mayor Jay Suvaal with local business owner and motorsport fan Wayne Russell

Cessnock City Council has today written to Supercars to express its interest in commencing discussions to host a Supercar 500 Event in the Cessnock LGA.

The move follows the adoption of a mayoral minute directing Council to open a dialogue with key stakeholders including Supercars and the NSW Government for a Wine Country 500 Supercars round, at its recent meeting on 15 November.

Cessnock City Mayor Jay Suvaal said now is the time to begin a serious dialogue on how we can retain a Supercars event in the Hunter.

"Motor sports are part of our culture here in the Hunter. News that the Supercars would not be returning to Newcastle in 2024 was a devastating blow to our community," said Clr Suvaal.

"We have the best racing fans in the country and it would be a terrible shame for this important regional event to be lost permanently.

"The City of Cessnock is prepared to step up for our region and fully explore opportunities to create a Wine Country 500 in our LGA.

"The Hunter Valley is an ideal destination to host a round of Supercars, with strong tourism visitor numbers, ample accommodation and idyllic surrounds.

"A Wine Country 500 would be a fantastic opportunity to promote one of the leading tourism destinations in Australia, and contribute to economic growth in the Lower Hunter."

The Mayoral Minute adopted by Councillors at an ordinary meeting on 15 November 2023, read as follows:

That Council formally engage with the Minister for Jobs and Tourism, the Minister of Sport, Destination NSW, State Member for Cessnock and Supercars to express Council’s interest in having discussions about securing a Supercar 500 Event in the Cessnock LGA.

The next steps for Cessnock City Council will be to open formal discussions on this considered proposal.