Night racing could soon be a reality at the Gold Coast Turf Club

Night racing could soon be a reality on the Glitter Strip after Racing Queensland applied for 10 new lighting structures at the Gold Coast Turf Club.

There’s light at the end of the tunnel – or rather, at the top of a light pole – in a long-awaited bid to bring night racing to the Gold Coast.

Racing Queensland has just lodged plans with the Gold Coast City Council to erect 10 45m lighting structures at the Gold Coast Turf Club to allow night racing to go ahead on the Glitter Strip, more than two years after the plan was first floated.

The State Government allocated funding for the project in 2018 as part of a proposed $28 million upgrade of the home of the glamour Magic Millions carnival, but it has been stalled at the barriers.

Planit Consulting, acting on behalf of Racing Queensland, this week lodged plans to upgrade lighting so night races can be beamed to TV viewers, especially in gambling-mad Asia.

The development application for a “material change of use” admits the towering lights will be close to nearby homes on Crombie Ave on Bundall.

But it says a reduction in the number of approved lighting structures, from 15 15m poles and one 30m pole to 10 45m towers, “is considered to be a more efficient lighting structure layout and have less light spillage”.

Planit said an amended ”obtrusive lighting” report had also found there would be “no lighting impacts” as a result of the changes.

Extra landscaping and an acoustic fence would also “further aid in mitigating any perceived negative effects to visual amenity for both pedestrians and sensitive land uses along Crombie Avenue”, the firm said.

“It is noted that as part of the installation, shields shall be installed on the fitting facing Crombie Avenue and adjusted to minimise the spill/glare to residential properties,” it said.

“It is thought that whilst the lighting structures are higher, there will be fewer lighting structures close to sensitive uses and therefore will result in improved amenity for sensitive uses when compared to the existing approval.”

Planit said while the turf club had operated on the Bundall site since 1946 before anyone lived in the area, it was important that the new lights and night broadcasting had regard to the “amenity’ of the neighbourhood.

“The intent of the lighting structures will be for night televising. This will allow domestic viewing as well as international viewing, in particular the Asian market where later viewing is more aligned with the time zone,” it said.

“The proposal will therefore support horse racing on the Gold Coast at a regional level whilst also having the benefits of all the economic opportunities presented by a world-class city by expanding to other countries.

“The proposal therefore supports a strong and diverse economy and economic growth.”

Residents have until October 14 to comment on the submission.