HORSERACING

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (14:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Each regional area has developed its own strengths and economic opportunities, whether because of a soil type or climate which is suited to a particular crop, or because of population size or geographical location. Communities, as well as developing around economic opportunities, are often identified and strengthened by their recreation and sporting clubs, and we would have all seen the intense interest and rivalry between neighbouring towns in football and netball competitions.

Another part of our rich history that we benefit from today is horseracing. The picnic and feature race days in some of our smaller communities are a great feature of regional South Australia and a tourism highlight, particularly for those of us, like you, Mr President, who appreciate equine activities. Horseracing is a wonderful sport, but few people are aware of the infrastructure which it needs to flourish. Will the minister advise the council how the government has helped make a new home in regional South Australia for this sport a reality?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Indeed, horseracing is a really important part of our sporting landscape and has a long history in South Australia, with the first meetings of the turf club in South Australia being held, I have been told, in 1838. Of course, horses are an integral part of our rural and regional landscape, but horses need good training facilities to develop and hone their form and for jockeys to practise their trackwork.

During my recent visit to Murray Bridge, I took the opportunity to visit the site of the Murray Bridge Racing Club's proposed new racecourse and training centre at Brinkley Road, Murray Bridge to see for myself the work that has begun to be undertaken and also to have a look at their plans. I am pleased to announce today that I have approved a grant of $265,000 from the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund to assist the club with the costs of piping water from the Murray River for use in irrigation and to create on-site water storage facilities or holding tanks.

During my visit, I met with Mr John Buhagiar, Secretary/Manager of the Murray Bridge Racing Club, and the club's chairman, Mr Reg Nolan, to hear first hand their plans for the site. I am advised that the club's master plan is to construct a new racecourse, built to Australian best practice standards, as well as an equine training centre on the site, east of Gifford Hill and off Brinkley Road, Murray Bridge.

The planned project is set to include a 2,160-metre circumference, 30-metre wide grass racing track, a synthetic surface training track and a sand jog track, in addition to the grandstand, inclusive of corporate and hospitality facilities, members and committee facilities, a tavern, a betting ring and administrative areas. I understand that these tracks will make racing there more reliable, particularly when there have been bad weather events that might, under current circumstances, cause a race meet to be cancelled.

I am advised that the completed project will also feature a 100-hectare training estate, including stabling and specialised racehorse training facilities. I am advised that this project forms part of a longer-term strategy for Thoroughbred Racing South Australia to provide affordable facilities for trainers, in addition to attracting greater investment in racing in the local region. Indeed, this project ticks more than one box. I am advised that the development also contributes to the urban growth plan of the rural city of Murray Bridge, as well as complying with the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide.

Members should be aware that increasing the prosperity and economic sustainability of regional communities through programs such as the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund is an important initiative and a commitment of this government. The RDIF supports critical regional infrastructure and allows eligible applicants to seek up to 50 per cent of a project's cost. The purpose of the RDIF is to increase the prosperity of regional communities by facilitating infrastructure that supports sustainable economic development.

The Murray Bridge Racing Club project is part of a long-term strategy of thoroughbred racing, and it is obviously a very important investment in racing in terms of the local community. In this instance, the funding is for water infrastructure, which is needed to irrigate the racecourse and surrounds. The new facility is, I am advised, set to give a boost for racing in the area, and I understand that the Chairman of Thoroughbred Racing SA has forecast that the Murray Bridge Racing Club will host up to 26 race meetings each year and aims to attract over 30,000 people to its race days.

I congratulate the Murray Bridge Racing Club on its careful preparation and collaboration with The Rural City of Murray Bridge and Regional Development Australia, Murraylands and Riverland regional bodies, which have enabled this project to occur. I look forward to visiting the facility in the near future and watching its progress.