Queensland race clubs seek slice of $53 million pie

THE deadline for Racing Queensland to reveal infrastructure plans is looming as a host of clubs across the three codes of racing vie for a slice of an allocated $53 million.

Racing Queensland chief executive Dr Eliot Forbes at Eagle Farm. Picture: Tara Croser

THE deadline for Racing Queensland to reveal infrastructure plans is looming as a host of clubs across the three codes of racing vie for a slice of an allocated $53 million.

RQ chief executive Eliot Forbes confirmed on Thursday the control body would be providing advice to government in relation to infrastructure “towards the end of March”.

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“There have been 19 applications and around 10 enquiries,” Forbes said. “We welcome submissions where the intent is the overall improvement of racing and wagering in Queensland.”

Gold Coast and Ipswich thoroughbred clubs are sweating on approval to fund a range of projects, headed by tunnels to the in-field of both courses.

In the harness and greyhound codes, Albion Park is awaiting a response from Racing Queensland after launching a court order for the control body to honour an agreement with previous administrations to allocate $15 million for a new grandstand at the dual-code facility. RQ is due to table a response to the court action this month.

Racing Queensland chief executive Dr Eliot Forbes welcomes all submissions from race clubs. Picture: Tara Croser

In correspondence to clubs last year, RQ outlined a total pool of $124.4 million for infrastructure projects, of which $53.1 million is available now.

A $10.5 million allocation for Cronulla Park at Slacks Creek is on hold, while the ­remainder will be made available in two $24.4 million instalments — the last of which is due in July 2023 — as part of Tatts Group’s ­licence agreement and the repayment of the Brisbane Racing Club’s $12 million loan.

Ipswich has been vocal in its desire to fund a project it believes will make the club self-sufficient by commercialising an area of land on Brisbane Rd.

The Gold Coast had been allocated funds dating back to Bob Bentley’s tenure as RQ chairman, but waited in line after redevelopments at Toowoomba and Eagle Farm were given priority.

The club is seeking funding for tunnels to the in-field, which would help ease the crush on Magic Millions day, new training tracks and an upgrade to the course proper. The GCTC’s submission to RQ will stipulate the new work can be done while continuing to race for all but four weeks during the construction.

A submission for lights to enable night racing at the venue is also up for discussion.

Originally published as Queensland race clubs seek slice of $53 million pie