The Palaszczuk Government has announced five race clubs across Western Queensland will share in more than $900,000 in infrastructure funding as part of its Country Racing Program.
Funded under the four-year, $70.4 million Country Racing Support Package, non-TAB clubs can apply to Racing Queensland for projects relating to infrastructure repairs and maintenance.
Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the projects had been approved under the second round of funding, which means jobs and a boost to the economies in Queensland's smaller communities.
"Coming at this time, when the global economy is taking blow after blow as a result of the pandemic, this funding is yet another avenue for Queensland to unite and recover," he said.
"We're expecting to announce a third round before the end of the year, which again means jobs and another decent shot in the arm of the economies of successful communities."
The eight projects across the clubs are:
- Aramac Racing Club: $40,000 - New shed installation;
- Longreach Jockey Club: $28,000 - Uplift inside running rail;
- Cloncurry & District Race Club: $450,000 - Re-turfing the Cloncurry Racetrack (subject to additional external funding);
- McKinlay Race Club: $8000 - New water tank; and
- Mount Isa Race Club: $376,000 - Construction of new stewards' tower; swab stall upgrade; jockeys' room upgrade; and safety helmets and vests for barrier attendants.
Mr Hinchliffe said country racing was the heartbeat of many communities across Queensland.
"The majority of our non-TAB clubs have had their meetings either cancelled or postponed during Covid-19 and, as such, their capacity to fund much-needed infrastructure improvements has been further diluted.
"The Country Racing Support Package has delivered great results for Queensland's racing industry and the latest round of CRP funding will be warmly welcomed across the State."
