Turf club on front foot about future
Master Planning scheme aims to shore up future
No-one can predict what the future holds, but Toowoomba Turf Club is determined not be to left in the starting gates when it comes to the ongoing viability of Clifford Park.
Toowoomba Turf Club on Sunday — in conjunction with Racing Queensland and the state government — announced the introduction of a “Master Planning” process to “future-proof ” the home of the Darling Downs racing industry.
TTC chairman Kent Woodford, racing minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Toowoomba Regional Council mayor Paul Antonio spoke to the media of their support in trying to ensure Clifford Park’s future sustainability.
It was the first move in the latest plan to maximise the potential of the club’s 36-hectare racing precinct, just three kilometres from the city centre.
That same site is one of the city’s largest employment hubs while also the home of Toowoomba’s largest weekly sport and social centre.
TTC is one of the few race clubs in Queensland to have operated profitably in recent years, so why the need for change?
Woodford explained the Master Planning process is necessary to keep TTC ahead of the game when it comes to Toowoomba’s future expansion and development.
He believes acting now can help shore up the future of the club and the Toowoomba racing industry.
Woodford said the TTC board had no pre-conceived ideas on how it wanted to see Clifford Park developed as a possible multi-purpose venue with an increased cash flow.
“We have no pre-conceived ideas on what direction the Clifford Park precinct will take,” Wood ford said.
“The only thing we are certain of is Clifford Park is one of the state’s premier racing venue and that will not be changing.
“The idea of the Master Planning process is to invite ideas and proposals that might help take the club and the Toowoomba industry forward.
“It’s something that may not be implemented for 10 years, but now is the time to start seeking ideas.
“We have a large piece of land on a major road within the city boundaries.
“Who knows what potential that has in a growing city like Toowoomba.
“We see clubs in Brisbane and now Ipswich looking to shore up their future and we think it’s time for Toowoomba to get on board.
“We are open to residential, commercial or entertainment proposals that can help supplement the club’s training, racing and pubic facilities.”
Hinchliffe congratulated the club on its initiative.
“Clifford Park and the Toowoomba Turf Club have 155 years of racing history on this site,” Hinchliffe said.
“But it’s great to see them planning for the next 155 years.
“The master plan they’re undertaking with the co-operation and support of Racing Queensland will deliver the thinking that’s needed about that future and making sure it is genuinely a multi-purpose future.
“One that will deliver income out of the racing field and provide a genuine entertainment precinct I believe here, in what is effectively the heart of a growing and exciting city.
“We’re (government) very pleased to see the TTC take this very important initiative and I want to congratulate the chair and the whole of his committee for that foresight and for that commitment.
“We’re pleased to work with and provide, as I say, that expert support that our capability through RQ can provide in what will be an important master-planning exercise.”