Tears and fears for Phillip Island as Victoria loses the MotoGP

Destination Phillip Island warns MotoGP loss will devastate local economy

Destination Phillip Island has warned the loss of the MotoGP will be a significant community and economic setback for the tourism-dependent region.

In a statement, chief executive Kim Storey said the event had underpinned shoulder-season visitation and its loss would materially impact accommodation, hospitality, retail and local employment, as well as reduce international exposure for Victoria.

Ms Storey warned the situation could worsen, noting the World Superbikes contract expires in 2027.

A 2023 Ernst & Young economic impact study found the MotoGP generated $54.6 million in economic benefit for the state, including $29.4 million in direct local spend within Bass Coast, and supported approximately 284 full-time equivalent jobs.

Ms Storey said DPI was communicating with government on how to replace the economic loss and called for any response to focus on long-term, sustainable tourism infrastructure and strategic destination marketing.

"The loss of MotoGP is extremely disappointing; Phillip Island's long-term future remains strong," Ms Storey said.

Crugnale moves fast to secure ministerial meeting after MotoGP blow

BASS MP, Jordan Crugnale is devastated that Phillip Island has lost its iconic major event, the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

And just as devastated for the business operators and hospitality venues.

But she has moved quickly, in line with a Bass Coast Shire Council invitation, to get the Major Events Minister, Steve Dimopoulos, to meet with the council and local business as soon as possible.

“Phillip Island is home to and synonymous with the Moto GP. We are devastated the owners of the race wanted to move it from our stunning region and spectacular coastline to a street-based city race,” said Ms Crugnale.

“We saw the largest attendance since 2012 just last year with over 90,000 people, it brings so much to Bass Coast and the wider region and injects $60 million into the local economy, supports small businesses, jobs, tourism and draws visitors from near and far.

“We wanted it on the Island, we put forward a very convincing proposal, offered additional funding to make it bigger and better and disappointment is an understatement.

“We thrive on regional events, and this one is the biggest international sporting one in our country.

“Can I take this opportunity to thank the community and the local council for its Save the MotoGP campaign.

“We still have it this year, and I will be inviting the Minister to come down and meet with Council, tourism bodies, relevant organisations and agencies to discuss what future options and opportunities we can all work towards for alternate major events that will benefit my local area and wider region,” she said.

Not prepared to move, Minister

Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos fronted the media on Wednesday afternoon to defend the government’s failure to secure the grand prix.

Mr Dimopoulos said the government met every request from Dorna, the owners of the GP licence, bar one.

“And the line that they drew was, if you're not moving it to Albert Park, we're out. We met every other request. We met the license fee. We offered to uplift the marketing and the fan experience, but their final demand was that you must move the event into the city, into Albert Park,” said Minister Dimopoulos.

“And we were not willing to sell out Phillip Island. They want the kind of the patronage, I think that comes from being located in CBD. We agreed to every other request for the extension of the contract, but just not moving it from Phillip Island.”

What they said about losing the GP

Here are some of the comments online about losing the GP.

• Hayden Ramsdale: The MotoGP owners wanted Albert Park not Phillip Island, the government actually supported Phillip Island which is why the GP is going.
• Danny Grinsted: It ain’t gone yet, fight!
• Emily Sloan: As a hospitality business owner in San Remo - the Moto GP made a huge injection for the entire week leading up to and including the weekend of the GP. Not just for us but for all hospitality and accommodation venues in and around the Island! More customers who loved returning and we loved seeing them every year coming to their favourite places, and now it’s just been taken away from us. We increased our trade too by supplying the Phillip Island Circuit too. A sad day for the Phillip Island and San Remo community who rely on these major events to help us through the year. What’s next - they take the super bikes too!?!?
• Nae Louise: If anyone goes missing, check the potholes. They'll become craters now, with the annual GP pothole-filling season gone.
• Andrew Turley: It has nothing to do with the Vic Gov. It is the owners of the Motor GP that made the decision. They are taking it to Tailem Bend.
• Mario Zinellu: Like everything they leave it to the last minute, disgraceful.