❓ Mrs Godfrey asks about the future and sustainability of Perth's key racing assets. The Minister responds by outlining a review of metropolitan horseracing venues, highlighting the need for modernisation and efficient resource deployment, supported by a task force established by RWWA.
AnsweredQoN 815Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH RACING — WESTERN AUSTRALIAN TROTTING
ASSOCIATION — ASSETS
815. Mrs G.J. GODFREY to the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
Perth Racing and the Western Australian Trotting Association
have conducted racing activities from their racecourses at Ascot —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time. Member for
Belmont, just repeat that, please.
Mrs G.J. GODFREY :
Perth Racing and the Western Australian Trotting Association have conducted
racing activities at their racecourses at Ascot, Belmont Park and Gloucester
Park for many years. Can the minister please update the house on the work being
done to investigate the future and sustainability of Perth's key racing
assets?
ASSOCIATION — ASSETS
815. Mrs G.J. GODFREY to the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
Perth Racing and the Western Australian Trotting Association
have conducted racing activities from their racecourses at Ascot —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time. Member for
Belmont, just repeat that, please.
Mrs G.J. GODFREY :
Perth Racing and the Western Australian Trotting Association have conducted
racing activities at their racecourses at Ascot, Belmont Park and Gloucester
Park for many years. Can the minister please update the house on the work being
done to investigate the future and sustainability of Perth's key racing
assets?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. I know that her
electorate of Belmont is heavily involved in the racing industry. Perth Racing
and the Western Australian Trotting Association have long and proud histories
as leading organisations in thoroughbred and harness racing. Although the
facilities at Ascot, Belmont Park and Gloucester Park have been considered
quite grand over the years, there is no doubt that they require significant
modernisation to maintain their attractiveness and competitiveness in what is
very much an entertainment market. I think the land on which the racetracks are
located is prime real estate, and we need to see whether these assets are
providing an adequate return in that business sense. A large amount of capital
is required to modernise these venues. The Liberal–National government
provides about $20 million over five years to support racing infrastructure.
There is a $6.6 million boost to that funding from royalties for regions. The
$20 million is to support infrastructure very much focused on racecourse
safety, promoting safety and ensuring that occupational health and safety
initiatives are in place. I think we have done a really good job on that.
However, it is not a big enough fund to meet some of the major issues that the
racecourses face.
I have been contemplating this year
the need for a review of major metropolitan horseracing venues. The Premier has
also stated his view that the industry needs to do more with those assets to
underpin its sustainability. I am pleased that the governing body, Racing and
Wagering Western Australia, announced the establishment of a task force to
review thoroughbred and harness racing and training assets in the metropolitan
area and provincial areas that affect the metropolitan area. That task force
will be chaired by RWWA deputy chairman, Robert Pearson, and representatives
from metropolitan clubs have been invited to participate. Perth businessman and
former president of the Urban Development Institution of Australia, Dr Russel
Perry, whom a lot of people know, will provide independent experience on the
task force. He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge. There will
also be a representative with strong venue planning experience from the
Department of Sport and Recreation to help the task force. When the review was
announced, RWWA chairman, Jeff Ovens, who I think is doing a really good job in
his role at RWWA, made it clear that the task force is established to address
the current and future utilisation from an industry and public interest
perspective and to look at the optimal utilisation of our metropolitan racing
assets, which is critical to the viability of racing and training operations in
Western Australia. The RWWA board is of the view that the timing of this task
force is right and that it is necessary to demonstrate to the stakeholders that
we are deploying our resources properly in the most effective and efficient
manner. This has not been done, and I think that it is a critical part of the
process. I certainly support what is taking place, and I welcome the decision
to set up the review. This is a great opportunity for the racing industry; the
state government wholeheartedly supports that opportunity.
electorate of Belmont is heavily involved in the racing industry. Perth Racing
and the Western Australian Trotting Association have long and proud histories
as leading organisations in thoroughbred and harness racing. Although the
facilities at Ascot, Belmont Park and Gloucester Park have been considered
quite grand over the years, there is no doubt that they require significant
modernisation to maintain their attractiveness and competitiveness in what is
very much an entertainment market. I think the land on which the racetracks are
located is prime real estate, and we need to see whether these assets are
providing an adequate return in that business sense. A large amount of capital
is required to modernise these venues. The Liberal–National government
provides about $20 million over five years to support racing infrastructure.
There is a $6.6 million boost to that funding from royalties for regions. The
$20 million is to support infrastructure very much focused on racecourse
safety, promoting safety and ensuring that occupational health and safety
initiatives are in place. I think we have done a really good job on that.
However, it is not a big enough fund to meet some of the major issues that the
racecourses face.
I have been contemplating this year
the need for a review of major metropolitan horseracing venues. The Premier has
also stated his view that the industry needs to do more with those assets to
underpin its sustainability. I am pleased that the governing body, Racing and
Wagering Western Australia, announced the establishment of a task force to
review thoroughbred and harness racing and training assets in the metropolitan
area and provincial areas that affect the metropolitan area. That task force
will be chaired by RWWA deputy chairman, Robert Pearson, and representatives
from metropolitan clubs have been invited to participate. Perth businessman and
former president of the Urban Development Institution of Australia, Dr Russel
Perry, whom a lot of people know, will provide independent experience on the
task force. He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge. There will
also be a representative with strong venue planning experience from the
Department of Sport and Recreation to help the task force. When the review was
announced, RWWA chairman, Jeff Ovens, who I think is doing a really good job in
his role at RWWA, made it clear that the task force is established to address
the current and future utilisation from an industry and public interest
perspective and to look at the optimal utilisation of our metropolitan racing
assets, which is critical to the viability of racing and training operations in
Western Australia. The RWWA board is of the view that the timing of this task
force is right and that it is necessary to demonstrate to the stakeholders that
we are deploying our resources properly in the most effective and efficient
manner. This has not been done, and I think that it is a critical part of the
process. I certainly support what is taking place, and I welcome the decision
to set up the review. This is a great opportunity for the racing industry; the
state government wholeheartedly supports that opportunity.
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