Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC) and The IRONMAN Group will commence engagement this week to explore a potential alternate bike course for the IRONMAN Australia 2023.
PMHC will work with IRONMAN Australia organisers to undertake this engagement starting with business consultation and written communication.
Businesses will be presented with the proposed plan utilising Hastings River Drive to head in a western direction. The proposal would see Changed Traffic Conditions in place during the event, allowing vehicle access to Port Macquarie Airport, the Hibbard Ferry and the majority of local businesses along Hastings River Drive and Settlement City.
PMHC and The IRONMAN Group Oceania will garner feedback from businesses on how this may affect race day operations. This feedback will help inform PMHC and IRONMAN Australia organisers about how to best configure the course with the least impact possible whilst maintaining the integrity of the event. A decision will not be made without the final approval of key partners including Transport for NSW, Destination NSW and NSW Police.
PMHC Executive Manager Strategy, Duncan Coulton, said the proposal for a new bike course comes as PMHC and event organisers look to evolve the event for participants, and alleviate some of challenges that have arisen with the growing population along the current north-south route.
"The trends we're seeing with the growth of the population in the Camden Haven region, suggests to us and the event organisers that for IRONMAN Australia to remain sustainable, we should consider alternative options for a new bike course," Mr Coulton.
"We believe the best option moving forward would be to consider an alternate bike course along Hastings River Drive. Exploring this option requires us to undertake detailed engagement with community and business. We will then need to consult further with TfNSW and NSW Police about the best way forward."
The IRONMAN Group Oceania Regional Director, Carl Smith, said that event organisers looked forward to exploring bike course options with the community.
"IRONMAN Australia is an important event for both the local community and the triathlon community and we look forward to working closely with all those involved about exploring possible course modifications for the future," said Mr Smith. "IRONMAN Australia and IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie are incredibly popular events and we are committed to further strengthening the event and ensuring its future security.
"This year we celebrated the 35th anniversary of IRONMAN Australia with thousands of athletes and their supporters from across Australia and around the world and we look forward to this event being a part of the Port Macquarie-Hastings community for many years to come," he said.
In 2022, the event played host to 3000 participants, with event coverage reaching a large audience both domestically and internationally, an indication of its reputation on the international stage.
IRONMAN Australia is proudly supported by the NSW Government's major tourism and events agency, Destination NSW and has been hosted in Port Macquarie since 2006.
