Directions Paper supports significant investment in new Thoroughbred Racing Infrastructure
December 20, 2018
Thoroughbred
t
Thoroughbred
Directions Paper supports significant investment in new Thoroughbred Racing Infrastructure
20 December, 2018
Thoroughbred
T
THOROUGHBRED
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) announced today recommendations on the future footprint of thoroughbred racing venues in the greater Perth metropolitan area based on a directions paper prepared by GHD Advisory.
GHD was engaged by RWWA to undertake an overall review of asset planning for the racing industry broadly, which included an efficiency and utilisation review of Thoroughbred racecourses generally. A key element of the review was an assessment of the capability to sustain racing at two metropolitan racecourses. As a pivotal part of this study, a review of the Belmont Park redevelopment sought to understand the ability to host the current (and potentially additional) race meetings and trials into the future, including the impact of track infrastructure changes required to accommodate the Golden River Developments (WA) residential and commercial development.
The RWWA Board has endorsed the recommendation of the Thoroughbred Racing Committee (TRC) to implement a plan to provide contingency in the event Belmont Park is not available to host race meetings in the immediate or longer term. The parcel of land occupied by the Belmont Park racetrack surface and grandstand is owned freehold by The Western Australian Turf Club (trading as Perth Racing) and the long-term future of the venue is ultimately a decision to be made by the Club and its members.
RWWA CEO Richard Burt said “Belmont Park is an integral part of the winter racing program conducting between 40 and 45 race meetings each year. The WA Thoroughbred industry is reliant on two to three venues in the metropolitan and inner provincial area over winter and it is important for the continuity of racing that additional tracks are made available during this period and to plan for the progressive development of Belmont Park. Equally, investment is required to elevate the standard of training facilities that provide large volumes of thoroughbred starters, in particular Bunbury. As a result of these requirements, RWWA has agreed to support in principle, the investment of approximately $28m in new thoroughbred racing infrastructure.”
Business cases will now be developed for the following projects for consideration by the TRC and Board in early 2019.
• Re-development of Bunbury Racecourse to provide an engineered year-round turf racing surface capable of hosting if applicable, 35-40 race meetings per year and an all-weather training and trialling track.
• Construction of a second turn at Pinjarra Park Racecourse providing capability for all year round racing and if applicable, an additional 10 to 15 race meetings per year.
• Widening of the home turn at Ascot Racecourse to 50m and an upgrade to the track drainage to allow an increase in the volume and spread in timing of race meetings.
“Undertaking the proposed works at Ascot, Bunbury and Pinjarra Park provides the WA Thoroughbred industry with the necessary infrastructure that will sustain racing over the longer term” Burt said.
Enquiries
David Hunter, Manager Commercial Racing and Planning, 9445 5279 / david.hunter@rwwa.com.au
About RWWA
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) was established on 1 August 2003.
RWWA’s charter under the Racing and Wagering Western Australia Act 2003 is to foster development, promote the welfare and ensure the integrity of metropolitan and country Thoroughbred, Harness and Greyhound racing in the interests of the long-term viability of the racing industry in Western Australia. RWWA also has responsibility for the off-course wagering functions trading as the TAB.
We cover approximately 54,000 races year spread across the three codes, supporting over 320 TAB retail outlets across Western Australia.
GHD has previously been commissioned by RWWA, in 2015, to prepare a high levels options paper for the future configuration of metropolitan racing and training venues for thoroughbred and harness racing in Western Australia.
About GHD Advisory
GHD is one of the world’s leading professional services companies operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. We provide engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services to private and public sector clients.
Established in 1928 and privately owned by our people, GHD operates across five continents – Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America – and the Pacific region. We employ more than 10,000 people in 200+ offices to deliver projects with high standards of safety, quality and ethics across the entire asset value chain. Driven by a client-service led culture, we connect the knowledge, skill and experience of our people with innovative practices, technical capabilities and robust systems to create lasting community benefits.
Committed to sustainable development, GHD improves the physical, natural and social environments of the many communities in which we operate. We are guided by our workplace health, safety, quality and environmental management systems, which are certified by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance to the relevant international standards (ISO and OHSAS).
In alignment with the global demands of water, energy and urbanisation, our aim is to exceed the expectations of our clients and contribute to their success.
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