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“V8 Supercars Australia joins all of our fans in North Queensland in a chorus of support for today’s announcement from the Prime Minister John Howard that his Government will allocate $10 million in funding for the Townsville Major Events Precinct.
“This funding, coupled with the already committed funds from the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh, will see work commence early next year on the major urban renewal of Reid Park in Townsville and the event precinct which will host an annual V8 Supercar street race.
“My congratulations to the Prime Minister and the Member for Herbert Peter Lindsay who have worked tirelessly to ensure the people of North Queensland get the same opportunity to host a major event as those in the capital cities. Peter has been a very strong advocate of this initiative for North Queensland and understands just what this will do for Townsville.
“Prime Minister Howard’s announcement today is icing on the cake that will put Townsville on the world stage in July 2009 with the hosting of the inaugural V8 Supercar street race in North Queensland.
“Our fans would be well aware that it was also the coalition Government that supported the redevelopment of Bathurst four years ago that has transformed that venue into a world class motorsport precinct.
“There have been a number of key players in bringing this together along with the coalition Government.
“V8 Supercars Australia would like to express our great thanks to the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh and particularly Treasurer Andrew Fraser who played such an integral role in assisting in getting this event off the ground. The State and Federal Governments working together will bring an exciting urban renewal to North Queensland.
“Finally we must thank the Mayor of Townsville Tony Mooney who has done such a brilliant job in helping us get the project to this stage. And without the Chairmanship of Tony Ireland and Townsville Enterprises this entire venture would have floundered years ago.
“Our many thousands of fans in Townsville and North Queensland will be delighted by this announcement.”
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