- 51 infrastructure projects to be supported across 39 regional clubs
- New increased funding stream replaces Country Racing Program
- Palaszczuk Government proudly backs country racing
Racing Minister Grace Grace has today announced 39 clubs across regional Queensland will soon share in $3 million of infrastructure grants thanks to Racing Queensland's new Country Club Asset Funding.
A total of 51 projects have been approved for delivery as part of the new CCAF stream, which has replaced the Country Racing Program that supported more than 330 projects since its inception in 2018.
The new funding comes following the introduction of the Palaszczuk Government's Betting Tax reform, which returns 80% of receipts back to industry and replaces the former Country Racing Program with a guaranteed higher minimum funding amount for country racing.
In 2021-22, Queensland's racing industry contributed $2.2 billion towards our state's economy, an 83 percent increase since 2015, with 52% of this directly benefitting regional areas.
With a $400,000 increase over the last grant round of the Country Racing Program, the CCAF is designed to support country racing club infrastructure repairs, along with maintenance and asset replenishment. It also delivers jobs and community benefits across the state.
Approved projects include:
- Stewards' tower/s at Barcoo Amateur Race Club and Monto Race Club;
- Stewards and jockeys building upgrade at Emerald Jockey Club;
- Stable facility upgrades at Julia Creek Turf Club, Laura Amateur Turf Club and Mt Garnet Amateur Turf Club;
- Judges' facility upgrades at Barcaldine Racing Club and Mareeba Turf Club;
- New barrier stalls or barrier upgrades at Central Warrego Race Club, Cooktown Amateur Turf Club, Gladstone Turf Club, Gordonvale Turf Club, Herbert River Jockey Club, Injune Race Club, Mareeba Turf Club and Thangool Race Club;
- New tie-up stalls at Barcoo Amateur Race Club, Cunnamulla & District Diggers' Race Club, Eidsvold Race Club, Wandoan Diggers' Race Club and Warra Race Club;
- Running rail installation and improvements at Burrandowan Picnic Race Club, Calliope Jockey Club, Cooktown Amateur Turf Club, Cunnamulla & District Diggers' Race Club, Goondiwindi Race Club, Prairie Jockey Club, Thangool Race Club and Springsure Jockey Club.
Quotes attributable to Racing Minister Grace Grace:
"Country racing is the lifeblood of the industry across the Sunshine State, and the Palaszczuk Government is delighted to play our role in assisting these clubs.
"85 of Queensland's 123 racing clubs are in communities where a race meeting is the biggest or second biggest annual event, signifying the vital importance of our investment in these asset and maintenance upgrades.
"Racing also helps to support over 15,000 jobs across the state, and the CCAF will ensure those jobs remain well into the future.
"We have already seen tremendous outcomes achieved through the previous Country Racing Program with more than 330 projects supported since 2018, and we look forward to continuing that success with more funding available through the Country Club Asset Fund."
