It's
Time For Major Upgrades at Bundall
Tuesday 24 March, 2009: Surely it’s time to forget about Palm
Meadows?
Peter Cameron sends the Palm Meadows project around for yet another run
in today’s Gold Coast Bulletin.
Whilst the Palm Meadows project has had plenty of merit, it’s been very
clear for the past 4 years that none of the major players involved have
had either the strength or conviction to deliver on the concept.
It’s high time we got on delivering major upgrades to the existing
Bundall equine precinct and making do with what we’ve got.
With the state election behind us and the Anna Bligh government
returned, Racing it seems has missed the boat again.
We were beaten to the post by the AFL who scored $60m for a new stadium
at Carrara.
Racing barely warrants a ‘blip’ on the political screen these days. And
it’s our own fault.
We
can’t rely on politicians or racing ministers with a passion for the
game any longer.
So come
on Anna Bligh, come on Queensland Racing, come on the Gold Coast Turf
Club and come on Magic Millions, let’s get on with it!
It’s time for the Gold Coast to grow up, and fulfil it’s potential as a
major racing centre.
Every other major sporting code takes the Gold Coast very seriously, so
it’s high time our racing industry was afforded similar attention.
Night racing must be put high on the agenda at the Gold Coast.
If there were ever a racetrack in Queensland (or for that matter
Australia) capable of delivering a viable night racing product, then
surely it’s the Gold Coast.
The opportunity to attract corporate investment is becoming increasingly
rare. But surely a night racing product with suitable accompanying
corporate hospitality packages would be a winner?
Whilst
the Gold Coast is bustling with new residents arriving regularly from
interstate, the horse population is also placing pressure on the
existing infrastructure.
With upwards of 700 horses in work at the Gold Coast, something has got
to give.
Leading trainer Alan Bailey has come out to say that no more than
400-500 horses should be in work at the existing facilities.
The battle between horses, their handlers and local traffic is becoming
a nightmare.
The issue of Racecourse Drive being a major arterial road must be
addressed. Motorists and horses make for very unhappy bedfellows.
If the Gold Coast is to continue as a major training centre, then
something must be done to ensure the safety of horses, workers and
motorists.
Much
speculation exists about another Cushion Track to be installed at the
Gold Coast.
A cushion track would be a welcome addition, easing the burden on the
existing training tracks.
If the Cushion track comes to fruition, so must a tunnel to take away
the danger of the existing crossing.
With
local traffic rushing by, horses and riders are in danger of injury or
worse under the current makeshift arrangements.
These are all tough issues with no easy answers.
But one things for
sure, we can no longer afford to procrastinate on these issues without
action.
(Grant Morgan)
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Grant Morgan |
