Racing Queensland to splash $49m on turf club

The spending is to upgrade the racing and training facilities at the Gold Coast to a metropolitan standard.

RQL chairman Bob Bentley says the entire multi-million dollar plan is about using existing industry venues more strategically, creating new multi-use facilities and modernising racing operations.

“This is an important time for the Gold Coast and the racing industry as a whole. Should this Industry Infrastructure Plan be implemented it would provide the single biggest capital injection into the Queensland racing industry,” he says.

“For some, change will be too difficult to even contemplate, let alone embrace. While it is impossible to please everyone, doing nothing is not an option.”

Bentley says the Gold Coast Turf Club’s existing racing and training facilities are in need of a significant upgrade to take the racing facility to metropolitan standard.

“The recently announced long term contract between the owners of Magic Millions and Queensland Events, coupled with the upgrade to the track and facilities envisioned in this Plan, would further enhance racing on the Gold Coast and significantly increase its overseas appeal,” he says.

“As part of the amalgamation of the three codes, Racing Queensland Limited has undertaken a review of all racing venues in order to make better use of the available facilities for the benefit of the entire industry and to secure the future of racing in Queensland.”

Bentley says hundreds of jobs would be created across the state as RQL works to ensure Queensland has some of the ‘finest facilities in the country’.

Implementation of the plan is dependent on securing funds from a number of sources including the $80 million in redirected wagering tax already committed by the Queensland Government, the scrapping of the proposed Logan Greyhound facility and the sale of Albion Park Raceway.

“If the racing industry in this State is to succeed into the future, we must collectively shift our focus from internal to external. The industry must unite and pursue common outcomes and not continue to operate independently, in many cases competing with each other,” says Bentley.

“The Plan doesn’t favour one code or one club over another it ensures all clubs and codes work together to improve racing across the State.”

Highlights of the proposed Gold Coast redevelopment include:

• 1870m long x 26m wide course proper
• 1730m long x 16m wide synthetic track
• 1524m long x 18m wide turf track no. 2
• 1435m long x 10m wide sand track
• ambulance and access road
• stormwater drainage infrastructure
• stormwater retention and reuse
• major horse, pedestrian and vehicular tunnels
• entry upgrade
• relocation of mounting yard
• equine pool
• infield marquee area and grassed overflow car park
• members facilities
• extension to lake (if required)
• extension to existing public facilities building
• provision for the Magic Millions marquee
• internal road and car park upgrade