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The NSW Labor Government has welcomed Racing NSW’s investment of almost $20 million in country and provincial racetracks.

The Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, has made supporting regional racing a focus since taking on the role.

The Racing NSW Board has committed to this significant capital works program, prioritising shovel ready projects, including new stabling, track upgrades and other infrastructure improvements.

Wyong racecourse has secured more than $1.5 million for irrigation and drainage upgrades, as well as a new machinery shed.

Goulburn racecourse will receive the most significant funding, $9.5 million, to construct 80 new stables and supporting infrastructure, with these works already having the necessary development approvals.

Racing NSW Chair Dr Saranne Cooke with Gaming & Racing Minister David Harris announcing $20 million in funding for upgrades across NSW. (Pic: Steve Hart)

Gosford racecourse will have a new home turn camber constructed on the course proper at a cost of $2.0 million. This project will greatly improve the competitiveness of racing at Gosford, with works to commence immediately following The Coast race meeting in May 2024.

Dubbo, Albury, Wagga and Grafton have received funding for new or improved training tracks, with these works ready for immediate commencement.

Ballina will receive funding for a complete irrigation system upgrade to ensure the club is able to efficiently and reliably manage their training and racing surfaces.

Racing Orange will receive funding for refurbishment of existing oncourse stabling that is currently vacant, adding to the volume of horses in training at the venue.

Racing is a $3.3 billion industry in the state, with more than 90,000 people involved as employees, participants or volunteers and the flow on effects sustain more than 50,000 local jobs, either directly or indirectly.

Critically, more than half the racing industry’s economic impact is in rural and regional NSW. Racing NSW has spent over $125 million in the past 10 years improving the safety and reliability of racing and training facilities in NSW.

Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris said: “This funding injection is welcome. It’s about creating local jobs in our rural and regional areas which are more critical than ever before.

“Thoroughbred racing is an economic powerhouse in regional NSW, providing around 17,700 direct jobs and contributing almost $2 billion to the state’s economy.

“Regional racecourses and clubs play a crucial role in developing our state’s world-class thoroughbreds and creating the champion racehorses of the future.

“This funding injection is also about futureproofing the industry. This significant investment in infrastructure, as well as a pipeline of trained workers from the Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy established by Racing NSW at Scone, creates a safe and sustainable future for the industry.

“Local jobs in rural and regional areas have flow-on effects across the whole economy and for our communities.

“The NSW Government understands the value that racing brings to NSW and will continue to support it being the number one state for thoroughbred racing in the country.”

Full list of projects:
Albury: New sand track, which will double the training capacity at the track
Dubbo: New sand track to replace existing surface that is at end of life
Wagga: Track renovation for ‘Riverside’ grass training track
Wyong: Irrigation and drainage upgrades
Wyong: New machinery shed to facilitate future stable construction
Ballina: Complete upgrade of irrigation system
Orange: Refurbishment of oncourse stables
Grafton: New sand track to replace existing surface that is at end of life and irrigation system upgrades
Goulburn: Construction of 80 new stables and supporting infrastructure
Gosford: Recambering of home turn to provide for more competitive racing