Media Release: VICTORIA’S RACING INDUSTRY LEADING THE FIELD

FROM THE MINISTER FOR RACING

DATE: Saturday, October 28, 2006

VICTORIA’S RACING INDUSTRY LEADING THE FIELD

Minister for Racing, John Pandazopoulos, said increased funding, new capital works and water saving projects at regional tracks, and a greater focus on jockeys and breeders are key parts of the Bracks Government’s Statement ‘Racing in Victoria – Leading the Field’ which was released today.

“This is Government’s vision for racing in Victoria – Australia’s leading racing State,” he said.

“Racing contributes $2 billion to the Victorian economy and helps create 74,000 jobs. The majority of which occurs in regional Victoria.”

Mr Pandazopoulos said a record $20.8 million has been allocated in the Statement. He said $18.6 million was allocated over two years in the May Budget for the Racing Industry Development Program (RIDP), $2 million over five years has been allocated to the Living Country Racing Grants Program (for smaller capital works projects) and $200,000 over four years for the breeding sector.

Thirteen RIDP projects for 2006/07 and two projects in 2007/08, totalling $8.5 million across the three codes, were also announced today ($5.94m for thoroughbred, $1.27m for harness racing and $1.27m for greyhound). The projects are:

· $6 million for racing infrastructure projects at Geelong ($1.785m major upgrade of its thoroughbred training facilities including installing ThoroughTrack, a no-water artificial track), Bendigo ($830,000 to install ThoroughTrack, a no-water artificial training track at Bendigo Racecourse, $1.2m to upgrade Harness Racing track and lighting facilities, a share of $1.2m for new Greyhound administration and kennel facilities), Traralgon (a share of $1.2m for new Greyhound administration and kennel facilities), Yarra Valley ($700,000 for water saving improvements to the track’s drainage and irrigation system), Benalla ($350,000 for a major upgrade of the irrigation system to improve water management);
· $600,000 for the Regional Racecourse Revitalisation Project to develop master plans for the Yarra Valley, Horsham and Geelong Racecourses ($500,000 will be spent in 2007/08 for Wodonga and Swan Hill). The planning process will support the ongoing viability of these racing venues through increased use by non-racing sections of the community;
· $320,000 to continue the progress made over the past five years in improving the financial, health and personal support available to jockeys;
· $350,000 to further support the thoroughbred industry’s strong commitment to research and to protecting the welfare of animals;
· $570,000 to ensure that Victoria keeps pace with new developments in drug technology and maintains public confidence in the integrity of Victorian racing; and
· $75,000 to promote the Melbourne Cup and Spring Racing Carnival to international audiences.

Mr Pandazopoulos also announced 43 smaller capital works projects worth $375,000 for across the State for 2006/07 as part of the $2 million Living Country Racing Grants Program. The remaining $1.6 million will be allocated to projects over the next four years.

The Bracks Government will also provide new funding of $200,000 over the next four years to ensure that Victoria’s breeding industry is better supported.

“Assistance will be provided to help regions develop cooperative groups to better promote regional breeding interests. This will help local breeders to develop and promote their business which is crucial to the future of our racing industry,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.

“Victoria has Australia’s best racing industry and the initiatives outlined in this Statement will ensure that it continues to build on its strengths, manage its risks and pass the post first.”

A copy of the Statement, more detail about the 15 RIDP projects and a list of the 43 grants under Living Country Racing Grants Program are available on www.justice.vic.gov.au