Nearly $ 1 million in taxpayer money has been wasted on improvements to an inland Queensland racing circuit that remains unusable.
Key points:
- The rain showed defects in the upgrade work, as it damaged the track before the first lap race could be held.
- The track has now fallen into disrepair
- He is not expected to be ready for the race until at least November
The Central Warrego Race Club in Charleville was one of many regional racing organizations that received funding for the state-run track update as part of the Country Racing Program.
Bush’s careers are a cherished part of the inner city’s social calendar.
Horse trainer Shane Iverson said his move to his hometown last year after spending more than a decade on other tracks had deteriorated so it could be up to a year and a half without a meeting. local race.
“It’s very frustrating,” he said.
“Right now I have a team of 13 horses and now I have to travel all the time, it’s ridiculous.”
Iverson said it meant extra costs for him and the racehorse owners to travel to other meetings instead of having seven races a year on the track where he and his horses were already based.
Where did the money go?
Racing Queensland and Murweh Shire Council worked together with the racing club to renovate the track in August last year.
Improvements included a new inner rail and a sprinkler system so the track could be watered remotely.
The track also had to be re-polished.
The Charleville Racecourse has been unusable since mid-last year. (ABC Western Qld: Melanie Groves)
The project was estimated to have more than $ 950,000 in funds initially earmarked by Racing Queensland, the racing club and the board.
But the rain in late October exposed problems with the newly completed runway, which have yet to be resolved.
The mayor, Shaun “Zoro” Radnedge, said the council was lucky enough to realize the problems before it took over the responsibility of the managers of the Racing Queensland project.
“I think we had 40 millimeters of rain on the Sunday before the Melbourne Cup, which created some drainage issues,” Radnedge said.
“We were almost ready to sign and we would have run on that track if we hadn’t received that rain.”
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How long until it is fixed?
No races have been held in Charleville since mid-last year, and race days have been diverted to other nearby towns.
Iverson said he had been watching and waiting for movement on the track and was disappointed by the slow process.
“[Racing Queensland] he left work about two weeks before last year’s Melbourne Cup Day, “he said.
“Nothing has been done on the track since then.”
Shaun Radnedge says he has been working with Racing Queensland since problems with the track arose. (ABC Western Qld: Melanie Groves)
Radnedge said the council had been consulting with Racing Queensland and Racing Minister Grace Grace since the initial updates failed.
“The track is not up to what we thought it was because of the amount of money we have [the council] they’ve spent it, ”Radnedge said.
He said county taxpayers would not pay the bill for new road repairs.
What happened?
Racing Queensland hired the specialist turf company Global Turf to carry out the renovation of the track after the engineers drew up the plans.
A contract was awarded for more than $ 500,000.
Global Turf had also been previously hired by Racing Queensland to complete the renovation of the Innisfail Turf Club last year.
Global Turf has not responded to CBA’s interview requests, and CBA does not suggest that it was responsible for any track issues.
The Charleville Racecourse was considered unfit for running. (ABC Western Qld: Melanie Groves)
Racing Queensland rejected ABC interview requests.
In a statement, however, he said: “After extensive testing and review, Racing Queensland representatives, along with consultants and contractors, met with key stakeholders, including the club, the board, coaches and jockeys. , on the spot. [on May 31] to finalize the scope of the repair works of the own route for the return to the race.
“Works are expected to begin in July and are expected to be completed in November 2022.”
Ms. Grace also turned down an interview request, but said in a statement that she was aware of the problem.
“I have raised this directly with the Queensland general manager, who has assured me that he is investigating it and that action will be taken.”
More than horses
Mr Radnedge said it was disappointing that his community was losing the benefits of bush racing while the track was inactive.
“It’s definitely been a challenge,” he said.
“[Race days are] an opportunity for the community to come together. “
Shane Iverson moved to his hometown of Charleville after more than a decade away. (ABC Western Qld: Melanie Groves)
Charleville race days often attract a large crowd, including surrounding communities.
Iverson said locals were also missing out on the economic effects of the country’s racing season, when attendees opened their wallets to buy fuel, food, alcohol and fashion.
“Because we’re not competing here, the whole city is losing a very large amount of money,” he said.