Gold Coast Turf Club redevelopment is off and racing

Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing The Honourable Grace Grace

Expressions of interest (EOI) open today for the $38 million redevelopment of the Gold Coast Turf Club.

The multi-million-dollar transformation of the Gold Coast’s Aquis Park was a 2020 election commitment by the Palaszczuk Government.

Racing Minister Grace Grace said the redevelopment of the Gold Coast Turf Club is a gamechanger for the Queensland racing industry and will bring a welcome boost to the south-east’s tourism and hospitality industries.

“Investing in infrastructure and supporting events-based tourism is an important part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery from COVID-19,” Minister Grace said.

“The redevelopment is expected to create 325 jobs during the construction phase and will add more than $100 million to the local economy.

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

“This project will transform Aquis Park into a world-class facility and Australia’s best night racing track.

“Work at the Turf Club will see the racing surfaces completely modernised including the installation of an all-weather synthetic track, along with the latest technology in lights for night racing; an in-field tunnel to provide increased equine welfare and health and safety benefits; and increased commercial opportunities.”

The Queensland Government’s contribution is $33 million, with the Gold Coast Turf Club contributing $5 million towards the project.

The EOI opens today and will close on 7 October. Following the EOI, Racing Queensland will select a shortlist of respondents to go to a Request for Tender later next month.

To minimise disruption, project work will be done around the Turf Club’s racing calendar.

For example, the installation of the all-weather synthetic track will commence after the Hollindale Stakes in May next year and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022.

In 2023, the re-construction of the course proper and installation of the lights is scheduled to occur, with the development aimed to be finished in time for the 2024 Magic Millions under lights.

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