Rally brought mass visitors to Kyogle

THE Repco Rally brought 'six months' of visitors to Kyogle in just one weekend, according to the town's visitor information centre.

Kyogle's mayor Ross Brown yesterday released a statement on the economic benefits of the rally that reported visitor numbers on the weekend 'equivalent to six months of the usual visitations'.

Mr Brown said Kyogle service organisations such as Rotary and Lions that ran parking bays and food stall, were also big winners raising $30,000 for charities and local groups.

“Full credit goes to the volunteers and community groups that embraced the event, despite no prior association or familiarity with the motor sport and made it such a success,” Mr Ross said.

The mayor said he also had reports from businesses that trade boomed over the weekend.

He said one business saw weekend takings rise by 1000 per cent.

“The Kyogle Chamber of Commerce have advised council that while they do not have any firm figures at this stage, businesses were very excited about the weekend takings,” he said.

Kyogle Council has employed a contractor to look at the social impact of the event, in accordance with State Government legislation.

“As there has been some opposition to the rally, this independent research should go a long way to convincing the community that the review process is transparent and above reproach,” he said.

In Parliament yesterday, Lismore Nationals MP Thomas George thanked the communities of Kyogle and Tweed for making the rally a success, but attacked 'violent' anti-rally protests.

But protester Andy Gough said he was angry that the police and media had accused protesters of rock throwing when there was no evidence that this happened.

“Even the drivers denied seeing rocks thrown in several media reports, yet this rumour got front page news and generated violent responses from pro-rally types,” Mr Gough said.

DID YOU GO TO THE REPCO RALLY? Phone 6624 3266 or SMS 0428 264 948