$2 Million boost to the North West Coast
Targa Tasmania, celebrating its 25th Anniversary running in 2016, will return to Burnie for an overnight stop for the first time since 2007, ensuring that all the key ingredients from the earlier years of Targa are celebrated next year.
The first sixteen events all stayed in Burnie before a course change for 2008 saw the night moved to Strahan, which will still retain its overnight stop in 2016. The Burnie Expo became one of the biggest events held each year with up to 10,000 flocking to see the cars, bringing Burnie to a standstill.
The return of an overnight stop will inject more than $2 million in direct tourism spend into Burnie and the surrounding North West Coast region, which comes at a great time as the city re-invents itself into a key tourism region after years of surviving on industrial and manufacturing industries. It will also take imagery of the revitalised city around the world via the event’s TV Show and large international following.
An Expo will also return, a great family night out in the heart of the city.
While Launceston will continue to host the pre-event and opening days of Targa, the field will leave a day earlier than normal to base itself in Burnie on the night of Wednesday 13th April. This ensures the massive 350 car anniversary field spreads its key overnight economic spend in the north, north-west, west and southern regions of the state.
Event Director, Mark Perry said the move back to Burnie was exciting news for Targa.
“We are the only true statewide annual event and to be able to share the millions of dollars spent before and during the event to more regions is fantastic news for everyone,” Perry said.
“Burnie City Council have been incredibly supportive of Targa in recent times with their backing of Targa Hellyer Gorge, and they deserve to have an overnight stop again. To be able to do this while still retaining our vital contribution to the West Coast is the perfect outcome. “One day we hope there will be enough accommodation on the East Coast to stay there too but we will again visit St. Helens for lunch next year to ensure vital funds are put into this community as well.”
Burnie Mayor Anita Dow said “We are thrilled with the news that Targa Tasmania is returning to Burnie for an overnight stop. Previous overnight stops in Burnie have always been fantastic events, not just for the city but for the region. There has always been strong community support for bringing back the overnight stay and Council is very excited that Targa Tasmania has chosen the 25th anniversary to return to Burnie.”
While Burnie will be the base for the stay, the whole North West Coast is positioned to gain from the occasion with the extraordinary large amount of people who attend the anniversary events looking from Wynyard to Devonport for accommodation options.
“More than 5,000 people and over 330 cars attended the 20th Anniversary event in 2011 so we are expecting at least that again as many return for the first time in years to celebrate a milestone many said would never be achieved. Waratah-Wynyard, Central Coast and Devonport Councils all have reasons to be smiling today,” Perry added.
Targa Tasmania 2016 will be held from 11th to 16 April. 2016 Overnight stops – 25th Anniversary Targa Tasmania
• Saturday April 9 Launceston
• Sunday April 10 Launceston
• Monday April 11 Launceston
• Tuesday April 12 Launceston
• Wednesday April 13 Burnie
• Thursday April 14 Strahan
• Friday April 15 Hobart
• Saturday April 16 Hobart
