Gold Coast Turf Club waiting on starters orders for infrastructure upgrades

The State Government has given a cautionary green light to the proposed infrastructure changes to the Gold Coast Turf Club, but it seems likely the $38m proposal will be staggered.

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The State Government has given a cautionary green light to the proposed infrastructure changes to the Gold Coast Turf Club, but it seems likely the $38 million proposal will be staggered.

The GCTC has presented a case to Racing Queensland for the upgrading of training tracks and the course proper, a tunnel to the infield which will improve safety for horses, licensees and the construction of lights for night racing.

The estimated cost of the entire project is in the vicinity of $38 million, but it’s believed the GCTC has committed $5 million of its own funds, leaving $33 million needed from RQ’s Racing Infrastructure Fund (RIF).

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Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Brett Cook is keen to get the ball rolling on infrastructure changes at the track. Picture: Richard Gosling

“It’s very important to the whole racing industry in Queensland and the employment opportunities a project like this brings to the Gold Coast should not be underestimated,” GCTC chairman Brett Cook said.

The deadline is looming for the project to be approved so that works can begin soon after Magic Millions 2021 and be completed in time for the 2022 Millions to be run at the course.

The Government has baulked at the expense of the project, concerned about a shortage of money in the RIF.

“Unfortunately, due to these limited funds and significant investment already approved by the Palaszczuk Government, we need to use the remaining funds in the best way possible,” Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.

Funds committed out of the $120 million pot already tally more than $75 million.

Away Game won this year’s Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s important that we get this absolutely right, so we’ll be working within the parameters of the money available through the (RIF) to ensure that the business case’s scope and final design are spot on,” Hinchliffe said.

It is believed the GCTC would happily put the lighting project on the backburner if it meant their training track renovation can be approved and upgraded immediately and the tunnel can be constructed to improve safety and open up the infield.

The course proper renovation is part of the club’s vision to have more metropolitan Saturday racing on the Gold Coast, but the more immediate concern is to fix the training tracks to ensure the welfare of the 530 horses that are trained at the venue and fulfil a promise to tenants that dates back more than a decade when funds were first promised.