Funding through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund has enabled a range of critical projects at the Benalla Racecourse, helping to improve facilities, enhance safety and secure the long-term future of racing and training in the region.
Projects delivered with the support of VRIF funding include upgrades to jockey facilities, kitchen and toilet renovations, track redevelopment works, automated irrigation, improvements to training infrastructure, on-course stabling and securing a reliable water supply from the Broken River.
Benalla Racing Club general manager Cameron Symes said the funding had played a vital role in transforming the racecourse into a modern facility capable of supporting racing and training for years to come.
"These funds have been extremely important in improving our facilities while securing the future of racing in Benalla," Symes said.
"The support received through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund has allowed us to undertake projects that simply would not have been possible otherwise.
“The investment has improved safety for participants, enhanced facilities for patrons and strengthened our ability to attract racing and training activity to the region."
Symes said the benefits extended well beyond the racecourse gates.
"Every project delivered creates work for local contractors and suppliers while supporting jobs and economic activity throughout our community,“ he said.
“Racing is a significant contributor to the local economy, and these investments ensure those benefits continue well into the future."
The club has also benefited from funding through the Regional Racing Events Program, which has helped the Benalla Gold Cup continue to grow as one of regional Victoria's premier racing events.
"The Regional Racing Events Program has played a major role in helping us showcase Benalla on a statewide stage,“ Symes said.
“The success of the Benalla Gold Cup, including being nominated for Event of the Year three times in the past four years, demonstrates the value these programs deliver for regional communities.”
The Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry contributes $4.1 billion annually to the Victorian economy and supports about 25,000 full-time equivalent jobs across the state, with regional Victoria accounting for almost $1.7 billion of that economic contribution.
"Continued investment in country racing is an investment in regional Victoria,“ Symes said.
“It supports jobs, tourism, community involvement and important infrastructure that benefits the entire region.”
