Tasracing, the Principal Racing Authority in Tasmania, has identified its preferred location for new harness and greyhound racing tracks on the northwest coast – private and Crown land at Palmers Rd in Latrobe.
Tasracing is planning to build new racetracks for both the harness and greyhound codes with an $8 million contribution from the Tasmanian Government over two years.
Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson said the company was now preparing to engage with residents about its initial plans and explain directly what the proposal looked like.
“While initial planning work commenced after Tasracing reached an agreement to vacate the Devonport Showgrounds, we have not been able to formally release or discuss publicly our plans until now,” he said.
“We have recently completed work on a draft master plan for the precinct which we are keen to engage with residents about.
“It is proposed that we build the racing facilities first, followed by training facilities at a later date to be determined.”
Mr. Eriksson said at the conclusion of the master planning process, and community and stakeholder engagement, Tasracing would finalise and submit a Development Application to the Latrobe Council.
“This will be subject to a further consultation period as part of the council’s normal decision-making as the planning authority,” he said.
To assist Tasracing in this work, the company appointed Dalton Consulting Engineers (DCE) to provide design and engineering services for the facility, and engaged with track design experts Professor David Eager, regarding the greyhound track, and Wayne Edgeloe for the harness track.
Sam Tucker, of Commercial Project Delivery, is project managing the proposed track development project.
Tasracing will schedule a meeting with stakeholders to outline in detail the draft master plan for the area and answer any initial questions as soon as practical.
An industry project committee was established comprising Clare McDonald, Mike Castles, Nathan Rockliff, and Adrian Duggan from the harness code, and Robyn Johnston, Ben Englund, Justin Crawford, and Graeme Barber from the greyhound code.
The committee has provided feedback directly from industry to Tasracing and information has been fed back to industry directly through these committee members.