Shade sails improving the welfare of greyhounds and participants will be installed at The Meadows in time for summer thanks to funding support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Racing Martin Pakula and Member for Broadmeadows Frank McGuire today to announce the Labor Government will provide more than $43,000 from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund for new shade sails at The Meadows.
Greyhound Racing Victoria is also contributing more than $43,000 towards its ‘Beat the Heat’ project.
The sails provide shelter and protection for greyhounds and participants between and after races during the hot summer months.
The funding announcement was made as part of the 2017 Great Chase series final race meeting at The Meadows today. The series brings together the greyhound racing community and disability sector to help raise money for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
In addition to the infrastructure upgrade at The Meadows, the Labor Government is also delivering more than $28,000 to support the upcoming Topgun race meeting on 28 October and $24,000 for the Hume Cup on 6 November.
Since December 2014, the Labor Government has provided more than $700,000 to support three infrastructure projects and 13 race meetings at The Meadows.
The racing industry in metropolitan Melbourne generates more than $1.5 billion annually for the Victorian economy and helps sustain more than 13,590 full-time equivalent jobs locally.
Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re proud to support the greyhound racing industry because it helps to create local jobs and delivers significant economic benefits to our state.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Racing Martin Pakula
“The new infrastructure upgrades at The Meadows will protect both greyhounds and participants from the summer heat, demonstrating the industry’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare.”
Quote attributable to Greyhound Racing Victoria CEO Alan Clayton
“This joint infrastructure investment means additional safety at the track and further emphasises our commitment to animal welfare as our key priority.”
Quote attributable to Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association General Manager Marg Long
“Many of the upgrades to our facilities would not be possible without the support of the Victorian Government and Greyhound Racing Victoria, and we thank them both for their ongoing investment at The Meadows.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020