World Masters Games a Boon for Local Economy

Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor Cr Paul Garrard has today welcomed competitors for the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games to Parramatta as they prepare to compete in the 9-day event at Homebush and surrounding areas.

Open to people of all abilities and most ages, the World Masters Games are the world's largest multi-sport event, attracting twice as many competitors than the Olympic Games.

"We will be welcoming competitors from around Australia and the world to Parramatta where they will compete in athletics at Parramatta Park and Water Polo at Parramatta Pool," the Lord Mayor said.

The influx of athletes to the Parramatta area will directly contribute to 2,642 room nights in accommodation for the city. Modelling by Council's Economic Development Unit has indicated that this equates to approximately $2,737,000 expenditure to our local economy.

"By measuring their impact on the local economy with our economic modelling system, their contribution as tourists will translate to over $5 million generated for Parramatta as we calculate the industrial and consumption flow-on effect," he said.

"It's this type of information that highlights the importance of hosting large events in Parramatta as we develop our tourism and attractions industry," he said.

"We already have a constant stream of visitors who come to Parramatta to experience our major events including Australia Day celebrations, Riverbeats and Lunar New Year and soon we will play host to the Super X at Parramatta Stadium," he said.

"It's all part of our strategy to bring more visitors to the local economy," he added.

"Council will launch later this month our new wayfinding system throughout the city to assist visitors to discover our significant sites by foot," he added.

"This will go hand-in-hand with Discover Parramatta, an exciting new website and guide to be launched in November that will provide up-to-date information on all the attractions and leisure activities available in the Parramatta area.

"The website will feature information about cultural and sporting events, restaurants and art galleries as well as the many historic buildings and locations around Parramatta."