Major upgrades announced for Stony Creek racecourse

Stony Creek Racecourse will receive a major upgrade thanks to a joint funding package of almost $100,000 supported by the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the Labor Government is contributing almost $52,000 from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund towards upgrading the racing and community venue in Gippsland.

Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria are jointly providing an additional $36,400, while Stony Creek Racing Club is contributing more than $9,000. Volunteers from the local community are also donating significant labour.

Improvements include an extension of the mounting yard fencing to ensure it is ready for the club’s first race meeting of the season on Saturday, 30 December. The new fencing will substantially increase safety for trainers, strappers and jockeys.

The refurbishment will also include new carpets and air conditioning in the members’ bar, new furniture in the owners’ and trainers’ bar, and 27 new televisions around the track. The gardens and irrigation system will also be upgraded, and new bench seating installed.

New audio-visual cabling is expected to be installed next year, improving race day broadcasts on Racing.com. The new cabling is part of a state-wide project that will see audio-visual upgrades at 18 country tracks.

The infrastructure upgrades at Stony Creek have used local businesses whenever possible, generating considerable economic benefits for the town and surrounding Gippsland region.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has provided more than $103,000 to support seven projects at Stony Creek – including five infrastructure projects worth more than $150,000 and two race days valued at more than $50,000.

The racing industry in the Gippsland region generates more than $59 million for the Victorian economy annually and helps sustain more than 590 full-time equivalent jobs locally.

Member for Eastern Victorian Harriet Shing said, “We’re really proud to support Stony Creek Racecourse because it’s an important racing and community venue for Gippsland.”

“The improvements to Stony Creek Racecourse will create local jobs, support local businesses, and enhance the safety at the track and bring immense benefits to the local community for years to come.”

Stony Creek Racing Club CEO Sarah Wolf said, “We are immensely grateful to the Victorian Government for its generous support for these wide-ranging upgrades to the Stony Creek Racecourse.”

“We look forward to using our new, improved facilities for both racing and community events over summer and into the future.”

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