- Harness Racing in Queensland is set to receive substantial infrastructure upgrades.
- The Albion Park Masterplan to be executed with the precinct to become the new Racing HQ.
- Harness racing will return to Toowoomba and new training facilities to be built at Marburg.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Harness Racing and delivering a plan for Queensland's future.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Harness Racing in Queensland, thanks to sweeping reforms laid out within The Next Lap: A plan for the future of Queensland racing.
Following the independent Queensland Racing Review 2025, the Crisafulli Government will deliver a Harness Corridor, connecting Harness racing across Queensland – breathing new life into Harness Racing in Queensland.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future after a decade of decline under Labor.
This includes executing the Albion Park Master Plan, which will deliver modern spectator facilities for the Albion Park Harness Racing Club.
It will also deliver brand new offices for Racing Queensland (RQ) and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC), alongside a state-of-the-art racing science centre.
This partnership demonstrates a new way of operating with industry through partnerships, ensuring all three codes of racing can operate with integrity and sustainability.
Marburg Showgrounds will be upgraded as an Elite Harness Training and Racing Centre. The venue's strategic location between Brisbane and Toowoomba places it near key standardbred populations.
Toowoomba will also have Harness Racing re-established at the Toowoomba Turf Club infield, creating a high-quality western racing corridor between Brisbane and Toowoomba.
To help drive infrastructure upgrades, RQ will take steps to dispose of the former proposed harness racing site at Norwell.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said it was important the Harness Racing industry maintains a metropolitan presence.
"Despite repeated calls by industry for harness racing to remain in the city, the former Labor government was going to move harness racing to Norwell, and we've put a stop to that," Minister Mander said.
"The creation of a new Racing HQ at the spiritual home of Harness Racing, Albion Park, also places Harness front and centre and brings the administrative and integrity arms of the industry together under one roof.
"The addition of a training centre at Marburg will provide opportunities for new participants to join the sport, while re-introducing harness racing at Toowoomba aims to increase regional participation."
Racing Queensland CEO Lachlan Murray said developing a Racing HQ at Albion Park would help to improve efficiency, strengthen integrity and diversify revenue streams for the Queensland Racing industry.
"Implementing the Albion Park masterplan will ensure harness racing remains at the heart of Brisbane and provides new opportunities to generate non-racing revenue for the entire industry," Mr Murray said.
"Co-locating RQ and QRIC to Albion Park as a hybrid model of operation will provide a more efficient administration, whilst maintaining industry confidence that integrity and stewarding decisions remain independent from the commercial operations."
Albion Park Harness Racing Club Chairman Greg Mitchell said the future for Harness Racing looked bright.
"We are obviously thrilled Albion Park will not only remain the metropolitan home of Harness Racing in Queensland, but that it will also be expanded to become Racing HQ," Mr Mitchell said.
"Albion Park is synonymous with world-class Harness Racing, and now its reputation as one of Australia's most iconic Racing venues will continue well into the future."
Marburg Pacing Association President Shaun Gillespie welcomed the development of an Elite Harness Training and Racing Centre at the Marburg Showgrounds.
"This will further strengthen Harness Racing west of Brisbane, giving better access to top class facilities for local breeders and trainers," Mr Gillespie said.
"Having an Elite Harness Training and Racing Centre on the local doorstep, and developing a western corridor for Harness Racing, will encourage more people to get involved in the industry."
Darling Downs Harness Racing Club committee member Anthony Collins thanked the Crisafulli Government for returning Harness Racing to Toowoomba.
"It's been far too long since Harness Racing had a permanent presence in the city, and this is a fantastic result for the local community," Mr Collins said.
"Horses and Toowoomba go hand-in-hand and having Harness Racing re-established at the Toowoomba Turf Club will be a boon to Darling Downs breeders, trainers and owners, and will see the industry grow in regional Queensland."
