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Major Boost For The Ballarat Harness Racing Track

20 October 2018

The Andrews Labor Government is upgrading the Ballarat & District Trotting Club as part of a major boost for harness racing in the region.

Minister for Racing Martin Pakula visited the club today to announce more than $59,000 for raceday stall upgrades, more than $38,000 to improve the club’s function room, and $25,000 for the Inter Dominion Heat on Tuesday 4 December. This is part of a $290,000 joint funding package.

The race day stalls are being upgraded to replace asphalt and improve accessibility for people with mobility issues. Upgrades will also include new carpet in the club function and committee rooms.

The Inter Dominion is the biggest harness racing series in Australasia and returns to Victoria for the first time in a decade. The Ballarat race night is the second heat in the series, which starts at Melton’s Tabcorp Park on 1 December.

The third heat is at Cranbourne on 8 December, before the series returns to Tabcorp Park for the finals on 15 December.

The club is contributing more than $151,000 to the upgrades and the race night, while Harness Racing Victoria is providing $15,000 for the race day stalls upgrade.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has contributed more than $253,000 to support six harness racing events and seven infrastructure projects for the club.

The racing industry in the Central Highlands generates more than $96 million for the Victorian economy annually and helps sustain more than 950 full-time equivalent jobs in the region.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Racing Martin Pakula

“The Government is upgrading the Ballarat & District Trotting Club to improve facilities for harness racing in the region and to allow the club to attract more events.”

“Ballarat is one of Victoria’s key harness racing venues and the Inter Dominion series will provide a big boost for the industry.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight

“These important upgrades will benefit the whole community and allow the Ballarat & District Trotting Club to attract even more people to the club in the future.”

Quotes attributable to Ballarat & District Trotting Club Chief Executive Officer Paul Rouse

“We’d like to thank the Victorian Government for its contribution to these significant upgrades for the venue.”

“The club is proud to be hosting an Inter Dominion heat, and we welcome racegoers from around the state and beyond to this fantastic night of harness racing.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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