Harness racing is to stay in Brisbane with Albion Park to become the new racing industry headquarters in Queensland under state government plans.
The government released its Next Lap plan for the entire industry which will see harness racing return to Toowoomba as well.
Racing Minister Tim Mander says harness racing needs to keep a metropolitan presence.
It has dismissed the former Labor government’s plans for a racing site at Norwell as it consolidates the industry in metro Brisbane.
“The creation of a new Racing HQ at …. Albion Park places harness front and centre and brings the administrative and integrity arms of the industry under one roof,” Mander says.
He believes a training centre at Marburg will help attract new participants to the sport while boosting regional participation with races at Toowoomba.
HARNESS PLAN HIGHLIGHTS
• The Albion Park Harness Racing Club will get new spectator facilities while new offices for Racing Queensland (RQ), Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC), and racing science centre, will be built under a new masterplan.
• Marburg Showgrounds (between Brisbane and Toowoomba) will get an elite training and racing centre.
• Races are to return to Toowoomba Turf Club.
• A proposed site at Norwell will be disposed of.
Click here to read the plan in full.
Racing Queensland CEO Lachlan Murray says having the headquarters at Albion Park would allow them to diversify revenue opportunities.
“Implementing the Albion Park masterplan will ensure harness racing remains at the heart of Brisbane and provides new opportunities to generate non-racing revenue for the entire industry,” he says.
“Co-locating RQ and QRIC to Albion Park will provide a more efficient administration whilst maintaining industry confidence that integrity and stewarding decisions remain independent from commercial operations.”
Albion Park Harness Racing Club Chairman Greg Mitchell says the future looks bright.
“We are obviously thrilled Albion Park will not only remain the metropolitan home in Queensland but that it will also expand to become Racing HQ,” he says.
Marburg Pacing Association President Shaun Gillespie welcomed news of the centre for the showgrounds.
“This will further strengthen harness racing west of Brisbane, giving better access to top class facilities for local breeders and trainers,” Gillespie says.
“Having a training and racing centre on the local doorstep, and developing a western corridor for harness racing, will encourage more people to get involved in the industry.”
Darling Downs Harness Racing Club committee member Anthony Collins says “it’s been far too long since racing had a permanent presence in the city”.
“Horses and Toowoomba go hand-in-hand; having racing re-established at the turf club will be a boon to Darling Downs breeders, trainers and owners.”
For more details about the plan, visit https://thenextlap.sport.qld.gov.au/
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