The future of the Deagon Racecourse is under question, with the State Government giving “careful consideration” to the sale of the site.
State MP for Sandgate, Bisma Asif, has been trying to get answers on what is happening with the almost 35-hectare facility.
“When I was first elected, I met with Racing Queensland at the Deagon site – it’s one of the biggest employers in our area, with more than 200 jobs there,” Ms Asif said.
“In December last year, it was announced that Racing Queensland would be moving to Albion and I put a question on notice to then-minister Tim Mander, about what would be happening with Deagon.”
Former racing and Olympics minister Tim Mander has stepped down from Cabinet. Environment and tourism minister, Andrew Powell, is currently the acting minister for racing.
The Sandgate Guide sent a list of questions to Mr Powell.
His office responded with a statement saying only, “The Crisafulli Government delivered the most comprehensive review into racing in Queensland’s history, The Next Lap. After a decade of Labor pushing racing to the side, we are getting on with the job of delivering for all three codes of racing.”
Ms Asif said the State Government had to consult with the community.
“What is the scope of what’s happening there, what’s happening to the jobs, it is just going to be privatised?” she said.
“We need consultation and we need to know what that consultation is going to look like.
“I was told there would be more information by Easter, and that has come and gone.”
Community Concerns Over the Site’s Future
The racecourse first opened in the 1880s, and since the 1980s has been used as a racehorse training facility. The site is also home to a newly refurbished office building and a carpark.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there had been plans to upgrade the racecourse.
At the time, then-racing minister and Member for Sandgate, Stirling Hinchliffe, said the site would be used as a “state training centre”, serving as a “state-of-the-art equine precinct”, with options for broader community usage.
Ms Asif said there were currently more questions than answers.
“If the government is talking about putting housing on the site, flooding is a concern there, as well as the cost of any infrastructure involved,” she said.
“I don’t want to see it sold. The lack of consultation is something I’m not happy with. I will keep pushing the State Government on this – the community needs to know what is happening.”
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