Queensland‘s racing clubs are set to receive a significant boost, with AU$5.7 million ($3.8 million) in infrastructure upgrades slated for 2024-25.
Racing Minister Grace Grace announced that 41 projects, at 36 country thoroughbred racing clubs, will receive AU$3 million ($2 million) in infrastructure grants through the second round of the Country Club Asset Funding (CCAF) program.
The CCAF program, launched in 2023, aims to support country clubs with infrastructure repairs, maintenance, and asset replenishment. The program is funded through the government’s betting tax reforms, which allocate 80 percent of collected revenue back into the racing industry.
In addition to the CCAF grants, Racing Queensland will provide AU$2.7 million ($1.78 million) for 20 projects at 18 Tabcorp thoroughbred, greyhound, and harness racing clubs through its Asset Management funding.
Aside from supplying electronic gaming machines and specialized services to licensed gaming venues, Australian gaming group Tabcorp also broadcasts harness, thoroughbred and greyhound racing and other sports in TAB outlets, for paid TV subscribers, clubs, hotels, and other licensed venues.
According to Queensland authorities, the majority of the clubs that will receive funding are located in regional Queensland.
Some of the projects funded through the second round of the CCAF include upgrades to judges’ facilities at Dawson Jockey Club and Mount Isa Race Club.
New barrier stalls will be installed at Julia Creek Turf Club, Morven Race Club, Springsure Jockey Club, and Yeppoon Turf Club. Additionally, new tie-up stalls will be constructed at Burdekin Race Club, Cooktown Amateur Turf Club, Cunnamulla & District Diggers’ Race Club, and Talwood Race Club.
There will also be new stewards’ towers at Birdsville Race Club and Gladstone Turf Club. Running rail installations are planned for Birdsville Race Club, Bundaberg Race Club, Burrandowan Picnic Race Club, Clermont Race Club, Gordonvale Turf Club, Innisfail Turf Club, Moranbah Race Club, and Roma Turf Club.
The AU$2.7 million ($1.78 million) in projects funded through Racing Queensland’s Asset Management will include upgrades to the jockeys’ room at Mackay Turf Club, a new machinery shed at Cairns Jockey Club, and a stewards’ tower at Brisbane Racing Club.
New barrier stalls will be installed at Kilcoy Race Club, and a new lure rail at Townsville Greyhound Racing Club. Additionally, new tie-up stalls and a swab box will be added at Marburg Pacing Association.
“More than 80 of Queensland’s 120 racing clubs are in communities where a race meeting is the biggest or second biggest annual event. Our strong investment in projects at country and regional racing clubs delivers jobs, infrastructure improvements, and community benefits, which is why this is so important,” Grace emphasized in the recent announcement.
The Queensland Racing Minister highlighted the economic impact of racing on the state, recent data showing that racing contributes a record AU$2.4 billion ($1.58 billion) annually to the Queensland economy, or “double what it contributed since Labor came to office in 2015, with more than half of that directly benefiting regional economies”.
“The Miles Government is proud to continue supporting racing clubs with a pipeline of infrastructure projects, large and small, right across the State,” Grace added.
