Racing Queensland has appointed a town planner and architect as its Deagon Racecourse master planning process pushes forward.
Concept master planning at Deagon has commenced, seeking to establish a multi-purpose State Training Centre in order to address the declining residential stabling numbers in South East Queensland. The facility will also provide a training environment for apprentice jockeys and stable hands.
The planning and conceptual design process is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete. The initial announcement was made in July 2019.
To assist RQ with its community engagement activities throughout 2020 and to help in the master planning process, Urbis has been appointed as its town planner and will be working together with Cox Architecture.
“Under the RQ proposal, the State Training Centre would serve as a state-of-the-art equine precinct, supporting the heritage requirements placed on Deagon to maintain its status as a racing and sporting precinct,” Racing Minister and Member for Sandgate Stirling Hinchliffe said.
“Just as importantly, however, they have committed to working with their technical advisors and the community to explore what additional uses could compliment the site.”
The State Training Centre, as proposed, would cater for more than 200 horses at Deagon whilst creating 60 new racing jobs in the region and up to 900 jobs throughout its construction. Other uses envisaged for the facility include community sporting facilities; farmers markets, dining, retail, entertainment, and accommodation.
“We’d like to quadruple the current stable numbers at Deagon, so it’s great to see the project advancing,” RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“The declining stabling numbers in South East Queensland is one of our real challenges and the establishment of a multi-purpose State Training Centre is viewed as a key solution.
“Additionally, it would also allow us to create a world-class training and education environment for our participants and usher in a new era for racing in Queensland.”
