Lockyer Valley Equine Precinct business case reveals plans for $111 million project in Gatton

The Lockyer Valley Equine Precinct would involve the redevelopment of the region’s turf club, with plans for a hotel, function spaces and community parklands. Here’s the next step for the ‘landmark’ project.

The Lockyer Valley Equine Precinct, which will be built at the Lockyer Valley Turf Club in Gatton, is expcted to cost $111 million.

A $111 million state-of-the-art country equine precinct which is planned for the Lockyer Valley would create hundreds of jobs and inject millions of dollars into the local economy while creating a “landmark” facility for the region.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has endorsed the business case for the huge project, which will involve the redevelopment of the region’s 54-hectare turf club in Gatton.

The Lockyer Valley Racing and Equine Collaborative, which is also made up of Racing Queensland, Equestrian Queensland, The University of Queensland’s School of Veterinary Science and Regional Development Australia (Ipswich and West Moreton), has developed a master plan for a multi-use racing and equine precinct capable of host a variety of national and international events.

Concept designs for the precinct, which will be built at the Lockyer Valley Turf Club.

Plans also include a hotel, function spaces and community parklands.

The master plan was jointly funded by each of the collaborative’s stakeholders.

It is hoped the Lockyer Valley Equine Precinct will be funded with backing from the private sector and all three levels of government.

The project will be built over several stages, with the collaborative now working towards developing a memorandum of understanding as the next step.

Stage 1a is predicted to cost $29.5 million and include bulk earthworks, including lowering the centre of the racetrack by up to four metres, a new 25-metre racetrack, 260 stables and a tunnel for centre ring access.

The core of the precinct would be built in stage 1b and involve building the roof and ‘basket structure’, which is slated as an “iconic centrepiece” to overlook the site and provide administration and function facilities.

These two initial stages are expected to take about three years to complete.

Deputy Mayor Jason Cook said the precinct would bring huge benefits to Australia’s salad bowl.

Future stages are expected to take an additional two years at a cost of $70 million.

These would include another 240 stables, the completion of community parklands, an entry piazza, viewing galleries, serviced apartments, a hotel and a multipurpose hospitality space.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council deputy mayor Jason Cook with plans for the precinct.

“This would be a first in Queensland to dedicate an entire facility to equine integrating racing, equestrian tourism and community activities,” he said.

“A facility of this calibre in our backyard would be a game changer, not just for racing and equine groups, but for the entire Lockyer Valley community and would position our region as a global destination for tourism, trade and investment and help to boost our local economy.

“With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics now in the bag, this precinct brings with it a very real opportunity for a regional legacy and contribution to the equestrian elements in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games and is a great opportunity to bring forward infrastructure investment that our growing region needs.

“This is an exciting development for our entire region; the potential here really is endless.”

According to the business case, the redevelopment is projected to be profitable from its first year.

“By year 10 (it will) generate $6.5 million in revenue and an operating surplus (pre depreciation) of $800,000,” the document noted.

Construction of the full project would create 290 local jobs and 538 jobs “Australia wide”.

“The 2032 Olympics and Paralympics being held in southeast Queensland presents an opportunity for the proposed redevelopment to host Olympic and Paralympic training, pre-Olympic and Paralympics training, Olympic and Paralympics events and leave a post Olympics legacy and home for equestrian national and international events, increasing the potential funding opportunities for the redevelopment,” the business case noted.

The full project would take five years to build.

“Construction of the full project at a cost of $111.3m results in economic output of $171.96m in the RDA Ipswich West Moreton economy.

“A series of 15 standard sized functions attracting 75 people with a spend of $110 per person would result in an estimated rise in output of $157,446.

“Two larger events each held over 2 days and attracting 2,500 people per day with a spend of $62 per person would result in an estimated rise in output of $788,822.”

The facility would also be used to teach students from UQ’s Gatton campus.

“This combination of practical equine activities and on-site educational opportunities will position the LVEP into a centre of excellence in equine rehabilitation, welfare and activities for Queensland and Australia,” the business case noted.

“Its long-term strategic objective is to facilitate the growth of the equine industry while considering the ‘life cycle’ journey of a horse, from thoroughbred racing to equestrian to more sedate activities off the track where there is a growing awareness for the need to rehabilitate and facilitate safe transition of horses into their later years.”

The collaborative stressed the business case was developed without factoring in the Olympics with the capacity to host other international, national, state and local equine and racing events “either side” of 2032 and “considerable potential financial uplift” with the hire and use of the site.

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.

Originally published as Lockyer Valley Equine Precinct business case reveals plans for $111 million project in Gatton