Racing Queensland plans major redevelopment at Deagon
Racing Queensland is planning a major redevelopment at Deagon Racecourse, with opportunities for sport, retail, dining, entertainment and accommodation.
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RACING Queensland is planning a major redevelopment at Deagon Racecourse which will include opportunities for sport, retail, dining, entertainment and accommodation.
The site’s primary use will remain an equine precinct with the establishment of a multipurpose State Training Centre with stabling for more than 200 horses, quadruple its current capacity.
Other possibilities are an equine hospital and swimming pool, short-stay accommodation and an education centre for apprentice jockeys, stable hands and associated industry services.
Racing Queensland (RQ), in conjunction with Brisbane Racing Club (the current track tenant at Deagon), will also seek community input on secondary uses for the site including sports facilities, farmers markets, cafes, shopping and entertainment, and residential or aged care living.
Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the master planning process would start later this year.
“This is about enhancing Deagon’s status as a thoroughbred training precinct for the 21st century while creating an inclusive community space for the enjoyment of local residents,” Mr Hinchliffe said
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“The establishment of a multipurpose State Training Centre for thoroughbreds would be a game changer for Deagon.
“It will bring important economic benefits and is expected to create 60 new racing jobs on site, along with about 900 more during the construction phase.
“Additionally, the increased presence of trainers, jockeys, stable hands and farriers is expected to inject millions into the local economy.”
The State Training Centre forms part of a significant reform agenda for Racing Queensland, supporting its commercial and strategic objectives.
CEO Brendan Parnell said the master planning process also provided an ideal platform to address a growing industry requirement for enhanced training and industry amenities and declining stabling numbers in South East Queensland.
“The recent infield development at Eagle Farm boasts a stabling complex for 430 horses and is already at 100 per cent capacity with a further waiting list,” Mr Parnell said.
“RQ is aware of more than 50 further stables slated for demolition. As one of the industry’s more pressing issues, it is incumbent upon the organisation to explore all solutions.”
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Deagon stabling is currently limited to 52 horses. Locally, there are 12 on-course trainers and 30 offcourse trainers who use the facility.
“At present, trainers from other South East Queensland centres regularly use Deagon for official barrier trials and educational jump outs, which would be strengthened through a State Training Centre,” Mr Parnell said.
“The facility could also cater for interstate trainers during peak Summer and Winter Racing carnivals — this is a current demand we encounter — and would allow them to base their horses at Deagon throughout these campaigns.
“The Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) has set the standard in Queensland with what can be achieved through their infield development at Eagle Farm and we look forward to partnering with them to realise a comparable vision for Deagon.”
BRC chairman Neville Bell said the club welcomed the opportunity to work with RQ on the critical industry project.
“This is an exciting announcement for the racing industry and Queensland, and the Brisbane Racing Club is looking forward to playing a role,” Mr Bell said.
“The infield facilities at Eagle Farm have transformed the training environment there and our local trainers dominate the metropolitan premiership.
“Deagon is set to become a training centre that will consistently produce outstanding racehorses … and the BRC is excited to partner with Racing Queensland in this next phase.”
Veteran trainer Pat Duff said the announcement was “very exciting news” for both Deagon and the industry.
“I think it’s a very good step forward,” said Mr Duff, who has been training horses for more than 50 years.
“I think there are a lot of opportunities there to open up employment and to make full use of the facility. When training, we race horses in the early hours of the morning and then for a large percentage of time the facility lies dormant.”
Mr Duff said he was interested in the training of young jockeys and there would be benefits in having an equestrian centre or pony club on site.
“With an upgraded facility I think Racing Queensland could tutor young riders, not only for racehorse riding but teach them to ride, teach them to be a racing track rider or a trainer.”
Mr Duff said the industry would also benefit from an animal hospital on site.
“It would be good to have a facility close by to deal with horses suffering illness or injuries.
“Major horse operations are currently done at a facility at Gatton, or at Anstead west of Brisbane.
“I imagine the vets who operate around Doomben and Eagle Farm would love to have a facility at Deagon.”
He said Deagon was central to all major tracks including those at the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ipswich and upgraded facilities would be attractive to visiting trainers from further afield.
To help with master planning, RQ will conduct an economic needs analysis of the Sandgate region to determine the best use of the land which is surplus to the racing function.
Urban design professionals will then help with planning and conceptual design, which will provide a basis for market testing and community consultation.
This process is expected to take between 18 and 24 months.
It will recognise and support the heritage requirements placed on the racecourse to maintain its status as a racing and sporting precinct, and will also complement the Sandgate District Neighbourhood Plan which is currently being updated by Brisbane City Council.
Cr Jared Cassidy (Deagon) said Council had identified the racecourse as a “catalytic site” because it provided the biggest opportunity for change in the community.
“I understand the new plan for the racecourse will look at a range of new uses and will ultimately open it up for the broader community to engage much more with,” Cr Cassidy said.
“I have already raised the prospect of this new plan with the Neighbourhood Planning Team in Council and it has been the subject of community feedback in the Community Planning Team meetings to date.
“I understand the timelines will align, with the details from Racing Queensland’s planning process able to be incorporated into the draft strategy for the new Neighbourhood Plan due out later this year.”
Although Deagon is a training track, it has opened its gates to the community in recent years through a number of picnic race meetings.
The Sandgate and Districts Chamber of Commerce ran a September picnic race day from 2013 to 2015.
Deagon Racing Club took up the mantle last year and moved the community race day to July.
The club’s second race day was to be held yesterday but was postponed late Saturday due to unsafe track conditions because of rain.
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