The greyhound and harness racing industries in the state’s North-West have urged locals to use the upcoming Tasmanian state election to protect more than 300 full time jobs on the North-West Coast and millions of dollars that are injected annually into the local economy.
The call comes following what racing representatives labelled a “disappointing breakdown of talks with racing minister Felix Ellis” and the release of Labor’s racing policy which was widely praised across the industry.
President of North West Greyhound Racing Club Ben Englund said the local industry has been brought to its knees by the current Liberal Government and reminded voters that the two racing codes bring around $20 million annually to local economies across the state’s North-West.
“The closure of greyhound and harness racing at the Devonport Showgrounds and the planned new track at Wesley Vale has been grossly mismanaged,” he said.
“Both codes could have continued racing and training at the Showgrounds until a new facility was complete, but instead, two years later the old track remains unused and overgrown.
“The current government has broken its promise and now refuses to commit to a new track. As a result, hundreds of people across the North-West are under enormous physical, emotional and financial pressure.
“It’s a debacle. We’ve been lied to and the local economy has been deprived of millions of dollars.”
Mr Englund along with Claire MacDonald from the Devonport Harness Racing Club have welcomed the commitment by Labor to build the new North-West track as soon as possible.
However they also warned the broader North-West population not to think that this is only a racing issue.
“If this track doesn’t go ahead it will impact everyone including small business people across the North-West,” Ms MacDonald explained.
“Money generated from racing in this region goes to accommodation providers, transport operators, retail outlets, vets, food and beverage providers, maintenance workers, and many others, and people will lose jobs and businesses if the track is not built soon,” she warned.
The electoral division of Braddon is represented by both premier Jeremy Rockliff and racing minister Felix Ellis, something the two local racing representatives believe will be noticed by local voters.
“This election is an opportunity to bring the change that we need here in the North-West, and protect local jobs and the local economy,” Mr Englund said.
Racing facts statewide – Across Tasmania, more than 6,400 are directly involved in racing, 63 per cent of those in regional areas. Forty per cent of the $208million in value it contributes directly benefits regional economies, and it supports and assists almost 60 community organisations and charities across the state.