ORDINARILY, the idea of Newcastle hosting a major three-day sporting extravaganza next March would be something to cheer about, given the almost total loss of big-ticket entertainment since the arrival of COVID-19.
Instead, the announcement that Supercars plans to run the Newcastle 500 from March 4 to 6 next year - ending a two-year coronavirus hiatus - signals a resumption of the controversies that have accompanied the event since it was unveiled as a virtual fait accompli in July 2016.
Previously, the East End race area was disrupted from October, past the late November race weekend, with bump-out running into December.
Now, the bump-in will take place in Summer, even if City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath is promising a shorter "bump-in", from February 1.
Local impacts aside, there are plenty of Hunter residents who adore the race, and there are many who believe the region is getting its money's worth in terms of tourism dollars, as well as the global exposure that comes from the undoubtedly striking race footage and photos.
But there are two extra factors playing into the latest round of debate.
The first is COVID. Australia will presumably have achieved its highest possible vaccination rates well before March next year.
But planning for such a major event can only proceed on the proviso that the virus has been brought under control, and that people are allowed to gather en masse.
And, presumably willing to do so.
The second factor is whether a five-year option attached to the original five-year agreement, from 2017 to 2022, is taken up, allowing the race to run through to 2027.
More will be heard about this in the coming weeks, but Mr Bath has told the Newcastle Herald that the option to proceed beyond next year needs the agreement of the council, the state government's Destination NSW and the Supercars organisation, and must be finalised by the end of this financial year.
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As he says, this will make it a matter for the new council, with NSW local government elections to be held in December.
He says a "process of community engagement" will start after the March race - the 2022 Supercars season opener - with the council to make its own "determination".
Transparency dictates the option should become a major council election issue.
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