Building a strong foundation

Improve greyhound racing infrastructure

The Queensland Government is committed to upholding the highest animal welfare and safety standards at the $90 million ‘The Q’ track. Investigations regarding the design and construction of the track and the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the Brisbane Cup meeting in June 2025 have been completed and the recommendations will be implemented by RQ, QRIC and the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club (QGRC).

The Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club (BGRC) track will have a high-quality rebuild that aims to ensure greater animal welfare outcomes. Investment in the BGRC is an opportunity to set a benchmark for safe and sustainable greyhound racing in regional Queensland. Applying best-practice design will aim to reduce injury risk, extend the careers of racing greyhounds and support confidence in the sustainability of Bundaberg greyhound racing.

Racing Queensland will investigate the need for racing infrastructure for the Rockhampton and Townsville Greyhound Racing Clubs.

Create a new Harness racing corridor

In addition to the ‘Racing HQ’ at Albion Park, the Queensland Government will strengthen the regional harness footprint. Marburg Showgrounds will be upgraded as an Elite Harness Training and Racing Centre. The venue’s strategic location between Brisbane and Toowoomba places it near key standardbred populations. Upgrades will address infrastructure gaps, reduce reliance on metropolitan sites, and create a high-quality western racing corridor.

The addition of a dedicated harness racing training centre aims to unlock further opportunities for new participants to enter the sport.

Toowoomba will have harness racing re-established at the Toowoomba Turf Club infield. Restoring harness racing to the Darling Downs caters to regional breeders, owners, and trainers and unlocks further opportunities for regional growth in harness racing.

Install new lights at Toowoomba Turf Club

New lights will be installed at the Toowoomba Turf Club. The current infrastructure is more than 30 years old and has reached end-of-life stage. New lights will ensure Toowoomba remains at the heart of a night racing strategy driving significant wagering uplift for the industry and supports regional economic activity.

Recalibrate Racing Queensland’s property portfolio

Racing Queensland will seek to rationalise its property portfolio and take steps to dispose of the former proposed harness racing site at Norwell. QRIC will dispose of the Bowen Hills property that was earmarked for a new Racing Science Centre. These changes will offer a mechanism for new and upgraded infrastructure. Careful consideration will be given to the sale of Deagon Racecourse, following discussions with participants and the local community.

Safeguard future infrastructure decision making

The Queensland Government will establish an independent Racing Infrastructure Board to ensure infrastructure decisions are driven by evidence-based proposals and prioritised by industry needs.

Queensland racing infrastructure decisions require more transparent and arms-length governance to address historic concerns around investment decisions. By separating infrastructure investment approvals from operational management, the model would mirror probity protocols used in state infrastructure agencies, hospital and school boards. Requiring all infrastructure projects over an agreed threshold to pass through the board also creates an internal check on club expenditure and enhances consistency in value-for-money assessments. Monthly Ministerial reporting will ensure accountability without overreach.

In line with this, a statewide racecourse ownership and land audit will be undertaken to guide investment decisions. This will lead to a fulsome land register, helping clubs and RQ to understand and unlock the full potential of those sites.

Build a racing fund for the future

The Queensland Government will launch a new joint industry fund to secure better returns for clubs. Queensland race clubs will be invited to invest in the fund, set to be managed with the appropriate oversight.

The Review states clubs would be able to track their investment in real-time and have access to their funds when needed. Clubs across the state held approximately $53 million in banked cash in FY24, with combined annual profits of $34 million.

A centralised fund, supported by the $200 million government investment, can collectively unlock higher interest returns, offset duplication in financial management and ensure sector-wide capital is strategically deployed for long-term industry benefit. The Racing Infrastructure Board will have a clear mandate to encourage industry-wide investment.

Capitalise on the lucrative night racing market

Racing Queensland will engage with race clubs to produce an enhanced, coordinated SEQ Night Racing Schedule for the thoroughbred code.

It’s proposed that meetings will be allocated across Wednesday to Saturday evenings, aligned with national and international racing times. Significant investments in racecourse lighting infrastructure have created the opportunity for a coordinated, year-round SEQ Night Racing product. Night racing is an attractive offering with potential to increase wagering turnover and race meeting attendance, that may appeal to a new audience.

A coordinated approach can maximise these outcomes without any reductions in animal or participant welfare. Subsequently, RQ will implement and oversee a revamped five-tier club structure for thoroughbred racing, based on geographic location and race frequency.