The NSW Police Force will conduct a high-visibility operation during Supercars Australia's ultimate endurance event to ensure race enthusiasts enjoy the event safely.
The 2019 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 begins with practise laps today (Thursday 10 October 2019), with the main event taking place at 11.30am on Sunday (13 October 2019).
Operation Bathurst Commander, Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie APM, was joined by Bathurst Mayor, Councillor Bobby Bourke, and Supercars Australia Chief Operating Officer Shane Howard to officially launch the operation.
With more than 200,000 competitors, officials and spectators expected to descend on Mount Panorama, Operation Bathurst will ensure event and patron safety and security.
General duties officers from Chifley Police District and across Western Region will be assisted by specialist police from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operations Support Group (OSG), Dog Unit, PolAir, Licensing Police, Bicycle Unit, Youth Command (PCYC), Police Transport Command and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command throughout the operation.
Assistant Commissioner McKechnie APM said police will be out in force across the weekend and will not only focus on road safety and crowd behaviour, but minimising the impact of the event on the local community.
"People are encouraged to enjoy themselves responsibly, consider their neighbours and the people around them, and act accordingly for what is a family event where people of all ages are present," Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
"We want racegoers to enjoy the weekend, be responsible for their own actions and take care of their mates."
Each adult will be restricted to bringing one of the following items into the event each day, which will be enforced by police and event security:
- One carton of full strength beer or full strength premixed drinks in cans only (24 can); OR
- One carton of mid strength beer (30 cans); OR
- One cask of wine (up to four litres); OR
- One bottle of spirits (750ml – plastic bottle only).
Glass is also strictly prohibited from the campgrounds, which includes jars.
Vehicles searches will also be conducted as racegoers enter the grounds, with assistance from event security and drug-detection dogs.
"Alcohol and drug related crime won't be tolerated, and people will be immediately removed from the Mount Panorama venue should they commit any offences," Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
To ensure racegoers and other motorists make it to and from their destinations safely, additional Traffic and Highway Patrol officers will be deployed.
"There will be a significant police presence on all roads leading to Bathurst and people should obey the traffic Legislation, particularly speed limits," Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
"Random drug and alcohol testing will be in place in and around Bathurst, and people are urged to take precautions to make sure they arrive safely and get home from the event in one piece."
For all special event traffic information, including road closures, special event clearways and live traffic reports, visit: www.livetraffic.com.
Councillor Bobby Bourke said the city was ready for the influx of race fans for the 2019 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
"The welcome signs are out and we're expecting more than 200,000 ticket sales over the four days as fans head to Mount Panorama to take in the action and excitement of the race," Cr Bourke said.
"All week excitement has been building as the numbers of race fans arriving in town increases.
"Council also has a great program of family friendly activities planned for Saturday to complement the action at Mount Panorama at the street fair, with a great program of entertainment, food, music and children's rides."
Shane Howard said the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 is one of Australia's biggest sporting events and one of the pre-eminent motor races in the world.
"Australia's great race just gets better and better," Mr Howard said.
"We look forward to another fantastic event, world class racing and for everyone to have a great time."
For all special event traffic information, including road closures, special event clearways and live traffic reports, visit: www.livetraffic.com.
Further information about the event, including venue maps, track schedules and parking availability, can be found at: http://www.supercars.com/bathurst1000/
