Labor commits to Geraldton Turf Club funding after initially reneging on $25m for regional racing across WA

WA Labor has committed funding to save Geraldton Turf Club, following through on the investment after back-flipping on the decision earlier this week. Race clubs across WA were informed on Monday the Labor party had reneged on a $25m investment for critical infrastructure, including in Geraldton. On Friday, Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia announced the election commitment, promising $25m to support WA racing, with regional race clubs to be boosted through the Royalties for Regions Racing Fund. Mr Papalia said Labor would continue to back the racing industry across the State. “Our commitment to establish this new Royalties for Regions Racing Fund is on top of racing infrastructure upgrades delivered via Racing and Wagering Western Australia,” he said. “We stand by our strong record supporting regional racing, and if re-elected we will continue to work with industry as we have for the past eight years.” Of the $25m fund, $1.9m has been promised for Geraldton Turf Club to complete track widening, general facilities and infrastructure upgrades. Geraldton Turf Club manager David Wrensted said he was thankful Labor had committed to the funding. “We’re relieved Labor has arranged funding, it helps secure the future of the race club,” he said. “At the moment there is some uncertainty, we’re very thankful for not only Geraldton, but the wider racing community across the region and the State. “The race club is 164 years old, it’s a real positive to get this and we’d like to thank Lara (Dalton) for going to bat for us, she’s been pretty proactive over the past few days.” The funding reversal came after intense pressure from local turf clubs, including Geraldton, with club chair Brian O’Dwyer earlier in the week warning the long-term future of the Geraldton club as well as marquee events such as the Geraldton Cup coming up in April were in doubt without the funding. Racing in Geraldton through the turf club creates $21.6m per year for the local economy, with 165 full-time jobs. Labor’s announcement was also set to provide funding for other turf clubs in the Mid West, including Carnarvon Race Club ($455,000) and Dongara-Irwin Race Club ($92,000). Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton said it was pleasing to get a positive result for local racing. “This is fantastic for our regional racing industry in particular the Geraldton Turf Club and Dongara-Irwin Race Club,” she said. “I’ve been advocating for our locals to secure funding for important upgrades to keep our local clubs up to scratch. “Our racing industry supports local jobs and this commitment is about WA Labor continually backing our regional racing clubs, and securing regional racing into the future.” It comes after the Nationals pledged $2m to help the turf club if they formed government at the State election, while a Liberal government would provide funding for racing across a number of Mid West race clubs, but not Geraldton.