Belmont Park Redevelopment
23 March, 2016
Thoroughbred
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA), the Principal Racing Authority for racing in Western Australia, notes the recent media release titled “Perth Racing backing Belmont with $74m redevelopment” made by Perth Racing on 18 March 2016 and is pleased to provide further information and perspective on the proposed redevelopment of Belmont Park:
- The Metropolitan Equine Asset Review Taskforce (MEART) commissioned by RWWA has undertaken a strategic review of metropolitan and inner provincial equine racing and training assets. In relation to Belmont Park, the MEART Report questioned the long term need as part of WA’s future racing infrastructure and preferred investment in growing participation in new growth areas.
- MEART raised a number of concerns associated with the redevelopment of Belmont Park both in terms of the venue being single use as opposed to dual use (racing and training) and whether Perth Racing has the capacity to operate two major metropolitan racetracks on a sustainable basis.
- RWWA acknowledges Perth Racing’s right to want to develop and maintain the Belmont Park venue, however, in the absence of detailed business planning information justifying the redevelopment, RWWA is not convinced that the scale of this development would be a good use of scarce industry resources.
- Whilst very aware of the current role Belmont Park plays in providing a winter venue for thoroughbred racing, RWWA will await advice from Perth Racing on the club’s future business model prior to RWWA commenting further on the appropriateness of the re-development and finalisation of its position on the longer term infrastructure needs for the industry generally.
- With respect to the potential privatisation of the TAB, RWWA is of the view that it is important the industry work collectively in the process of engaging with Government and not pursue individual club interests. It also considers premature the presumption that funds from a proposed sale of the TAB would be directed towards the Belmont redevelopment ahead of other metropolitan and regional racing infrastructure requirements.