As has been widely reported in media and direct to racing industry participants, the Tasmanian Government and Tasracing are set to develop new harness and greyhound racing facilities on the north-west coast.
Specifically, Tasracing intends to build new race tracks for both the harness and greyhound codes, with an $8 million contribution from the government over two years plus additional funding set aside by Tasracing.
Tasracing has started work on potential locations for new facilities.
Appointment of experts
To assist in this work, Tasracing has appointed a number of key people/consultants.
Prior to Christmas 2020, Tasracing engaged Woolcott Surveys to conduct an initial review of the current Spreyton site and the Latrobe Palmers Road site to determine whether they had the capacity for a 1,000-metre harness track. Initial survey reports indicate that both sites have sufficient room for a standard track.
Tasracing has also engaged a probity auditor, Ian Shield.
Tasracing is negotiating with Professor David Eager regarding the greyhound track design and Wayne Edgeloe (Edgeloe Engineering) for the design of the harness track.
Mr Edgeloe has been involved in the construction of new, extended and upgraded camber on 18 Victorian tracks since 2002, and also carried out some minor improvements on another seven TAB tracks.
Finally, Tasracing has called for Expressions of Interest for the appointment of appropriately qualified consultants to tender for professional services for the project design, documentation and contract administration for the construction of a harness and greyhound track and associated facilities on the north-west coast.
Tasracing is in ongoing discussions with various interstate racing jurisdictions regarding minimum standards and best practice designs.
They include Greyhound Racing South Australia regarding its Murray Bridge track and HRV, specifically Robert Pongho (Manager-Development & Infrastructure), and Harness Racing Australia on harness track standards.
Tasracing has also been in contact with Harness Racing NSW and received copies of its design documents for the tracks it has recently constructed.
Project Committee
Tasracing will establish a Project Committee that will include Industry participants. This committee will be in place for the entirety of the project once established.
It is intended that it will comprise:
- Three greyhound representatives.
- Three harness representatives.
- Tasracing representatives.
- Engineering representative (consultants as required).
Communication and consultation
Tasracing will continue to provide updated information to the wider Tasmanian racing industry as the project progresses.
Information will be distributed through the Project Committee referenced previously and by Tasracing.
While industry consultation has already commenced, further consultation is planned following the appointment of the Design Engineers which will occur on 8 March 2021.
An Industry Update meeting is being planned for the week commencing 17th February 2021.
Timeline
| Date | Deliverable |
| 10 December 2020 | Preliminary Survey documents |
| 22 January 2021 | Appointment of Probity Auditor |
| 29 January 2021 | Issue of RFQ for project design, documentation and contract administration |
| 12 February 2021 | Appointment of Project Committee |
| 17 February 2021 | Industry Update Meeting |
| 19 February 2021 | Initial Meeting of Project Committee |
| 22 February 2021 | Close for submission of RFQ |
| 8 March 2021 | Selection of design engineers |
| Mid-March 2021 | Industry Design Consultation – Information Gathering |
| March 2021 | Identification of additional Land Option |
| Early April 2021 | Industry Design Consultation – Presentation of Options |
| April 2021 | Selection of site (Incl Acquire if necessary) |
| April 2021 | Confirmation of Design |
| June/July 2021 | Planning Approvals |
| June 2021 | Production of Construction documentation |
| June 2021 | Issue of Construction Tender |
| July 2021 | Selection of Construction partner |
Dates in red are subject to confirmation with external consultants.