Gosford and Wyong racecourses are set to benefit from a $20M State Government investment in country and provincial race tracks.
Wyong racecourse has secured more than $1.5M for irrigation and drainage upgrades, as well as a new machinery shed.
Gosford racecourse will have a new home-turn camber constructed on the track at a cost of $2M.
The project will greatly improve the competitiveness of racing at Gosford, with works to commence immediately following The Coast race meeting in May.
Minister for Gaming and Racing and Member for Wyong David Harris was joined by newly appointed Chairperson of Racing NSW Dr Saranne Cooke to make the announcement at Wyong racecourse on February 29.
Harris said the latest funding injection was about creating local jobs in rural and regional areas which were more critical than ever before.
“Thoroughbred racing is an economic powerhouse in regional NSW, providing about 17,700 direct jobs and contributing almost $2B to the state’s economy,” he said.
“Regional racecourses and clubs play a crucial role in developing our state’s world-class thoroughbreds and creating the champion racehorses of the future.
“This funding injection is also about future proofing the industry.
“This significant investment in infrastructure, as well as a pipeline of trained workers from the Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy established by Racing NSW at Scone, creates a safe and sustainable future for the industry.
“Local jobs in rural and regional areas have flow-on effects across the whole economy and for our communities.
“The NSW Government understands the value that racing brings to NSW and will continue to support it being the number one state for thoroughbred racing in the country.”
Wyong Race Club Chairman John Waghorn said the drainage works and irrigation upgrade at Wyong racecourse would enhance stakeholder and animal welfare issues and allow for a better racing surface for participants.
“Currently the track faces periodic inundation from the surrounding wetlands, making specific areas of the track between the 900m and 1,350m mark unsafe for racing and trialling,” he said.
“In addition, the current irrigation system will be upgraded as it is experiencing ongoing failures requiring regular time-consuming repair works.”
Both projects will be completed by October 31.
The relocation of the machinery shed will pave the way for future new on-course stabling development.
Waghorn said the works would help maintain and elevate the racecourse’s status as a racing and training centre of excellence.
“Wyong Race Club acknowledges and appreciates Racing NSW and the Minister’s support for provincial racing,” he said.