Racing Victoria (RV) welcomes today’s significant contribution from the Andrews Labor Government which guarantees that the new Ballarat synthetic racetrack will be built as scheduled during the current racing season.
Minister for Racing, Martin Pakula, announced this morning at Ballarat that the Government has provided $4 million to ensure that work can commence on the construction of the synthetic track on Sunday, 25 November – the day after the 2018 Sportsbet Ballarat Cup.
A review of the state’s synthetic racetrack footprint, completed this year by RV, identified Ballarat as a preferred future location alongside the existing synthetic track at Pakenham.
RV, Country Racing Victoria (CRV) and the Ballarat Turf Club (BTC) have committed a further $6 million to deliver the 1900-metre synthetic track that will be utilised for both racing and training at Ballarat Racecourse from mid-2019.
Labor also announced today that, if returned at next month’s state election, it will maintain the $72 million Victorian Racing Industry Fund (VRIF) which supports investment in key industry projects, programs and initiatives including upgrades to racing, training and customer facilities.
VRIF has returned the proceeds of unclaimed TAB dividends and on-course wagering taxes back to racing and provided, on average, $18 million per year over the last four years to Victoria’s three racing codes to reinvest back into each industry.
Today’s announcement by Labor follows their commitment last week to invest $33 million into minimum prizemoney levels over the next two years if re-elected next month.
RV has welcomed today’s announcement by Labor as an important investment in the future of the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry which generates over $3 billion annually for the Victorian economy and supports the equivalent of 25,000 full-time jobs.
RV Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said: “We’re delighted that the Ballarat synthetic track will become a reality and are pleased that the Andrews Labor Government has seen fit to support the project now so that work can commence the day after next month’s Ballarat Cup.
“Given the climate in Victoria, synthetic racetracks are crucial during our winter months in ensuring that race meetings can proceed as programmed, whilst also helping to manage the workload on our turf racetracks when their growth is limited.
“We’re also very pleased that Labor has joined the Liberal Nationals in commiting to maintain the Victorian Racing Industry Fund (VRIF). Importantly, Labor has guaranteed that VRIF will remain at $72 million across the next four years regardless of any future changes to the level of unclaimed dividends. This provides great certainty for the industry which relies upon VRIF to support investments in infrastructure, customer facilities, safety and welfare.”
“VRIF allows race clubs right across the state to ensure that they can provide the best possible facilities and events for their local community and participants, while allowing Racing Victoria to maintain first class racing and training infrastructure across the state.”