Support for Ipswich Turf Club

MRS MILLER ASKED THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND FAIR TRADING (MR LAWLOR) —

QUESTION:

Will the Minister provide details of support for the Ipswich Turf Club since 2006 (including support outlined in this year’s budget) and provide details of the two biggest racing events hosted by the Ipswich Turf Club?

ANSWER:

The State Government has provided support to the Ipswich Turf Club through the Training Track Subsidy Scheme since 1997. The scheme assists race clubs in offsetting the costs of maintaining their training facilities. Since 2006, the Ipswich Turf Club has received payments of:

Following the reconciliation of starter numbers following the end of the 2009-10 financial year, the Ipswich Turf Club will receive a second instalment payment from the 2009-10 Training Track Subsidy Scheme.

The State Government has again provided $2 million in the 2010-11 Budget to fund the State-wide Training Track Subsidy Scheme. The amount that the Ipswich Turf Club will receive under this scheme in 2010-11 will depend on the number of horses trained at the club which start at races in Queensland during 2010-11.

The Ipswich Turf Club has hosted two of the biggest race meetings held in Queensland this season.

The Ipswich Cup conducted by the Ipswich Turf Club on Saturday, 19 June 2010, attracted one of the biggest crowds to a Queensland race meeting this year. Traditionally the Ipswich Cup meeting is the best attended race meeting in Queensland and has become a highlight of the Australian racing calendar.