Wyong honours $20m regional funding

With news of $19.8m in NSW Government funding to nine race clubs throughout NSW, it’s $1.5m to Wyong Racecourse for irrigation, drainage and machinery storage.

“Wyong Race Club acknowledges and appreciates Racing NSW and the Minister’s support for Provincial racing,” said Wyong Race Club Chairman, John Waghorn at Wyong Racecourse.

“We are delighted to have newly appointed Chairperson of Racing NSW, Dr Saranne Cooke, joining Racing Minister the Honourable David Harris MP, to announce the Racing NSW funding.

“The irrigation, drainage and stabling expansion enabling works are significant to maintain and elevate Wyong racecourse’s status as a racing and training centre of excellence.”

In following John Waghorn expressed ‘the drainage works and irrigation upgrade will 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 900 metre and 1350 metre mark unsafe for racing and trialing.’

‘In addition, the irrigation system will be upgraded as it is experiencing ongoing failures requiring regular time-consuming repair works, with both projects completed by 31 October 2024.’

‘The relocation of the machinery shed at Wyong will enable for future new oncourse stabling development at the racecourse that is so important to our on-going developments.’

In announcing, the Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris said “This funding injection is welcome as it’s about creating local jobs in our rural and regional areas which is so critical.”

“Thoroughbred racing is an economic powerhouse in regional NSW, providing around 17,700 direct jobs and contributing almost $2 billion to the state’s economy.”

“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 futureproofing the industry with local jobs in rural and regional areas have flow-on effects across the whole economy and for our communities.”

“This significant investment in infrastructure for the Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy is the establishment by Racing NSW at Scone to create a safe and sustainable future for the industry.”

“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.”

In addition, ‘Goulburn will receive a significant funding of $9.5m to construct 80 new stables and supporting infrastructure, with these works already having the necessary development approvals.’

‘Gosford racecourse will have a new home-turn camber constructed on the course proper at a cost of $2m to improve the competitiveness of racing at Gosford, with work to commence May 2024.’

‘Dubbo, Albury, Wagga and Grafton have funding for new or improved training tracks, with Ballina to complete irrigation system upgrade to ensure suitable training and racing surfaces.’

Racing is a $3.3 billion industry in NSW, with over 90,000 people involved as employees, participants or volunteers that sustains more than 50,000 local jobs either directly or indirectly.

Critically, over half the racing industry’s economic impact is in rural and regional NSW, with Racing NSW spending $125m in the past 10 years in improving the safety and reliability of racing and training facilities in NSW.