Our ‘beautiful week’ ends in call for compo

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG traders are talking to lawyers over claims for compensation from lost trade during last week’s UCI Road World Cycling Championships, according to their spokesperson.
But Geelong Mayor John Mitchell has dismissed concerns over any negative impacts on the city, saying the hugely successful major event was the culmination of nearly 10 years of planning.
Cr Mitchell met briefly with traders’ group spokesperson Greg Lake on Tuesday morning to hear their concerns.
Mr Lake said some of 30 affected businesses could consider further action if City Hall failed to reach an agreement with traders.
Some Geelong retailers reported a downturn in trade of 50 per cent but others lost up to 90 per cent, he said.
“A lot of retailers I have spoken to have already spoken to their lawyers,” Mr Lake said.
“The advice you’ll get from a lawyer is until they get you in a court you never know the outcome.
“We’ll just wait a week and see whether council is smart enough to at least sit down and have a discussion before we start making threats of legal action.”
Mr Lake spoke to traders last Friday before sending a letter about compensation to council and State Government.
“Mum-and-dad” businesses told him they could go to the wall between now and Christmas after falling behind during the UCI championships, he said.
Retailers who usually took $50,000 in a week were left with “a few hundred dollars”.
Cr Mitchell said council always knew the event would produce some short-term pain.
“Road cycling inevitably brings with it logistical challenges including daily road closures,” he said.
“I would like to personally acknowledge the residents and businesses around the course who graciously accepted the impacts of the race in recognition of the great benefits such an event brings to our region.”
Council claimed Geelong would reap $50 million from hosting the cycling championships.
Police estimated crowds totalling more than 150,000 attended the final day of competition, pushing final attendance figures to 293,000 over the five days.
Cr Mitchell called the event a “beautiful week for Geelong”.
“Our city shone under the gaze of the world and I’m enormously proud of the quality of the event we have delivered.”