A new home for harness racing in Queensland

The Gold Coast will become the home of harness racing in Queensland with a multi-million dollar facility to be built.

The State Government has splashed out $8-million on a 72ha pocket of land in Norwell.

The ‘Queensland Harness Centre’ is expected to contribute $185-million to the economy each year, and construction will support around local 1300 jobs

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the northern Gold Coast is an ideal location for the complex.

“This world-class harness racing facility is expected to host more than 200 meetings a year and will include training and stabling facilities that are currently unavailable in Queensland,” the Premier says.

“Harness racing contributes to our great Queensland lifestyle and Queensland economy every year and it also contributes to the magnificent Gold Coast tourism economy.”

Racing Queensland will be working to ensure this is a state-of-the-art facility that is designed with animal welfare as its highest priority.

The facility will replace the existing harness racing facility at Brisbane’s Albion Park.

An independent report commissioned by Racing Queensland showed the northern Gold Coast corridor was the most suitable location for the build, with a third of all Queensland standardbreds based locally.

Racing Queensland Chairman Steve Wilson AM says the creation of a “centre of excellence” for Queensland harness racing is expected to retain existing participants as well as attract new participants to harness racing.

“As a purpose-built harness racing facility, the code will boast unprecedented opportunity to utilise the venue for training and racing purposes,” Mr Wilson says.

“Presently, metropolitan programming is heavily reliant on Albion Park availability, with the construction of the Queensland Harness Centre ensuring greater emphasis can be placed on maximising wagering performance and returns to participants.”

The Queensland Harness Centre has been slated as among the most significant announcements for the code in half a century.

Industry consultation regarding the design of the Queensland Harness Centre will begin before Christmas.

Racing is expected to start at the Queensland Harness Centre in 2026.

by Lucy Rees, for mygc.com.au