THE Gold Coast City Council has approved a development application for a Harness Racing Facility in Alberton to the North of the City.

Gold Coast Harness Racing President, Mr Barry Grimsey said “this will be the start of a whole new era for Harness Racing in Queensland and for the development of a truly sustainable model for sport facility development that will take financial pressure off Government”.

He also said “the development will pump jobs into the region and the ongoing operation will offer jobs for local youth”.

The Gold Coast Harness Racing Club raced at its facility at Parklands, Southport until September 2013 when the State Government shut the venue down to build an apartment development for use during the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Funding for the new site was allocated by Racing Queensland in September 2013. Racing Queensland management, prior to its recent removal, advised that a business case for the Harness Racing Facility is currently before the Minister and is awaiting a response.

Mr Grimsey also stated “this is a golden opportunity for the new State Government to start afresh with a benchmark racing facility that will further develop the sport of Harness Racing in Queensland in a fully sustainable manner”.