UPDATE: The Bells Line of Road will be closed this Sunday from 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM for the VIC100 charity bike race, raising questions among local residents and businesses about the event’s impact on their community. The race aims to support three Lifeline centres in Gordon, Campbelltown, and Bathurst, but many locals are left wondering who truly benefits from this significant disruption.
The VIC100 event is marketed as a thrilling challenge for cyclists, promising a unique experience on one of New South Wales’ most scenic roads. However, as details emerge, concerns are growing regarding how this event was approved and the lack of direct benefit to the Hawkesbury area.
Local officials report that the Hawkesbury City Council did not directly approve the event, stating that it was solely a matter for the Traffic Committee. Yet, at an August 2025 council meeting, the council publicly expressed support for the event, with Ed Kirk, founder of the cycling group responsible for the race, claiming it would attract new customers to local businesses. Critics argue that this assertion lacks evidence and fails to consider the potential loss of Sunday trade for local agritourism businesses.
Fiona Germaine, Director of the Bells Line of Road Business Council, voiced concerns over the event, stating, “At no point have we opposed the cause of suicide prevention. Our concern is that Hawkesbury is absorbing the full impact of a major road closure with no confirmed, material benefit to our region.”
Local residents are questioning how the event’s volunteers will interact with businesses along the route, as closures will significantly limit access to shops and amenities. Key locations for the event’s activities are Penrith and Mt Victoria, raising doubts about how the race will support local commerce.
Two designated toilet-stops, located in Kurrajong and Bilpin, are far from food shops, which could deter participants from spending money in these communities. As the clock ticks down to the event, locals express frustration and confusion over the lack of transparency regarding who is truly benefiting from the funds raised.
Despite inquiries from the Hawkesbury Gazette, no response has been received from the Lifeline organizations regarding the distribution of funds or whether any portion will assist local mental health services. This raises further questions about the fairness of a charity event that appears to sideline local needs.
With the countdown to the race underway, residents are left to wonder whether the Hawkesbury community has been taken for a ride, as they prepare for a major disruption with uncertain benefits. What happens next? Community members are urged to engage with local leaders to demand clarity and ensure that their voices are heard before such events are approved in the future.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
