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Boost for Mount Gambier Racing Club and community

Following the confirmation of a successful application to the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) initiative, Thoroughbred Racing SA has today announced a $3.3 million redevelopment of the Mount Gambier Racing Club’s track at Glenburnie.

The BBRF program provides funding for infrastructure and community investment projects that will create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future. 

“TRSA is extremely grateful for the funding announced towards this important regional project,” noted TRSA Chair Frances Nelson QC, in acknowledging the funding announcement.

“We are delighted that the Federal Government has recognised the importance of the racing industry to regional areas in particular.”

Redevelopment of the Mount Gambier race track, to be funded by $1.5 million from the BBRF and an additional $1.8 million of industry funding from TRSA, will provide a new racing surface incorporating improved drainage and irrigation enabling the club to race for a larger part of the year.  

TRSA Chief Operating Officer Nick Redin joined Minister for Regional Development Senator Fiona Nash and Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP in Mount Gambier today to announce the redevelopment with the club.

“This is very exciting news for the local community and thoroughbred racing in the South East,” Mr Redin said.

“The project will include removing the existing main track in its entirety and replacing it with a track that provides a better racing surface, a new irrigation system and better drainage which should ultimately allow the club to extend its racing season each year.

“That, in turn, will deliver benefits to the local community and to the wider South-East region both in terms of helping securing the future of racing in the South East by retaining trainers at Mt Gambier and also through giving trainers an opportunity to grow and develop their businesses, all of which underpin ongoing employment opportunities in the sport, as well as during the track redevelopment itself.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Federal Government for its commitment and pleased that we’re able to make this project a reality.”

Mount Gambier Racing Club chair John Fartch welcomed the announcement.

“We’re very excited about this project because of the abilities it will give us to avoid the weather problems we’ve had in the past and allow us to extend our season,” he said.

“It’s great news for the club and the community, and we’re extremely grateful to the Federal Government and TRSA for their support.”

The new track has already been designed by Jeremy Clapp from FMG Engineering and is tender ready.

“As soon as the tender process has been finalised, we anticipate the project will take approximately 12 months to complete, the industry will now work with the Club and local participants on the timing of when this project will be done.” Mr Redin said.

The Mount Gambier Racing Club track redevelopment follows new track rebuilds at Morphettville, Gawler and Murray Bridge, making it the fourth new race track in South Australia since 2009.

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