$31.5 million approved to redevelop Gold Coast Turf Club into night racing venue

The Queensland Government has approved $31.5 million to redevelop the Gold Coast Turf Club’s 75-year-old racecourse into one of Australia’s most impressive night racing venues.

The redevelopment would see the racing surfaces completely modernised with an all-weather synthetic track, the latest technology in lights for night racing, and an in-field tunnel to provide increased equine welfare and health and safety benefits, along with increased commercial opportunity.

Queensland Premier Palaszczuk notes “this multi-million-dollar redevelopment will transform the Gold Coast Turf Club into one of the best racing venues in the country.

The $31.5 million comes on top of $1.5 million the Government has already provided for feasibility and planning. The Turf Club is also contributing $5 million towards the project.

The project – part of the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan – will go to tender later this year.

Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace adds “The Gold Coast Turf Club redevelopment is the next game-changer for Queensland racing.

“This investment means Australia’s favourite holiday destination will now have another thrill to offer, potentially rivalling Hong Kong’s massive tourism drawcard, Happy Valley.

“This exciting racecourse project will provide an additional 330 jobs during the construction phase alone, quite apart from the flow-on the south-east’s tourism and hospitality sector.”

“By the time the new turf club is ready, the south-east corner will have thousands more hotel rooms and tourists – including a new hotel and apartment tower at The Star Gold Coast casino.   

“The Gold Coast racing industry already supports almost 1100 local jobs from trainers and jockeys through to hospitality workers, farriers and equine nurses.

“On an annual basis, the Hong Kong Jockey Club contributes 1.3 % of Hong Kong’s GDP.

“Just a fraction of that would provide a massive boost to the Gold Coast and SEQ’s economy and jobs.”

The Gold Coast Turf Club already features on the international racing calendar with the signature Magic Millions Carnival, including the January yearling sale and its race day, drawing more than 13,500 racegoers, trainers, owners and potential buyers this year – and almost 25,000 in 2019, pre-COVID.

Image courtesy of gctc.com.au/gold-coast-turf-club-news/