Additional stabling for Sunshine Coast Turf Club

Racing Minister Grace Grace has announced the successful completion of the $7.4 million Sunshine Coast Turf Club stabling project at Corbould Park.

Co-funded by Racing Queensland and the SCTC, the new facilities will accommodate 128 additional horses and includes the construction of four new barns, walkers and hose down areas.

With construction having commenced in May 2022, stabling at Corbould Park has now expanded to 384 horses, with 80 jobs created throughout the project.

The stabling project follows the successful completion of an $8.9 million redevelopment of Corbould Park in late 2021 that included the installation of an all-weather Polytrack, along with drainage improvements to its training tracks and the installation of a new plastic rail.

“The Sunshine Coast Turf Club is one of Australia’s premier training and racing facilities and the stabling project will only enhance its reputation nationally,” Minister Grace said.

“In recent years, the improvements to its training facilities, including the installation of the Polytrack, has ensured that its amenities continue to be enhanced, whilst providing a much-needed wet weather option for participants in South East Queensland.

“Importantly, 80 jobs were created during the construction of the stables, providing further economic impact to the Sunshine Coast economy.”

SCTC CEO John Miller said that the new stabling facilities were another major boost for the Club on the back of an exciting 24 months.

“The construction of the new stable complex at Corbould Park completes what is now one of the best thoroughbred training centres in the country,” he said. 

“Together with the recently completed Polytrack and upgrades to training tracks, Sunshine Coast trainers have quality facilities to produce winners at the highest level. 

“With the new stable complex, up to 600 horses will now be trained on-course and support the 66 race meetings scheduled for 2023/24 - making it the most raced grass track in the world.”

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Queensland racing industry’s annual contribution to the Sunshine Coast economy continued to surge, climbing to almost $140 million in 2021/22.

Locally, the industry was responsible for generating $139.6 million in value added to the local economy in FY22, which represents an 35% increase over the last 12 months.

Full-time jobs have also increased from 842 to 1,104 over the same period (+31%).

With 3,200 participants involved and residing in the Sunshine Coast region, the thoroughbred code ($125.9 million) remains primarily responsible for the majority of the economic contribution, having increased by 29% since FY21.