COMMENT: New site for racing on the North-West Coast will benefit the industry
This article was published in The Advocate on 26 August 2022.
By Madeleine Ogilvie, Racing Minister
The Tasmanian government is a strong supporter of the local racing industry.
I was very pleased to announce last week that a new preferred location for harness and greyhound tracks had been found on the North-West Coast.
Racing has enjoyed a rich history on the North-West Coast and, up until March this year, the Devonport Showgrounds has been the main racing venue for the harness and greyhound codes on the North-West Coast for almost 100 years.
Participants residing on the North-West are currently being provided with a travel subsidy to reduce any financial burden for transferred race meetings or trial sessions and this subsidy continues to be reviewed.
An independent report commissioned by Tasracing identified that in the 2018/19 season, 5800 people participate in the industry in Tasmania, with almost 500 participants located on the North-West of Tasmania directly linked to the harness and greyhound industry.
Harness and greyhound racing in the North-West generated a gross value added contribution of more than $21 million to the Tasmanian economy.
The new proposed site will be opposite the Devonport Airport on 27ha of private land on Mill Road at Wesley Vale.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government will invest $8 million over two years to Tasracing to build the proposed new racetracks.
Tasracing will also contribute funding to the project, and initial site investigation works have been completed, including geotechnical and agricultural assessment and compliance.
Importantly, much of the original work identified at the initial proposed site at Palmers Road, Latrobe, can be applied to the new proposed site at Wesley Vale.
These plans had been accepted by both the harness and greyhound codes.
The new harness and greyhound tracks will be developed to the highest standards to ensure safe racing for both horses and greyhounds.
The next steps for the project will be for Tasracing to prepare and submit a development application to the Latrobe Council.
Our government has remained committed to this project, which will ensure harness and greyhound racing continues to have a long future in the North-West and I would like to acknowledge and thank participants on the North-West Coast for their patience while Tasracing identified a new site.
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