The Minister for Racing, Martin Pakula, recently announced that the State Government is supporting two upgrades at Tabcorp Park harness racing venue. 

More than $1.63 million from the government’s Victorian Racing Industry Fund will be invested in opening up the infield for public use and upgrading the park’s lighting with environmentally friendly LED floodlights. Harness Racing Victoria is contributing a further $545,000 for the upgrades.

The two projects will open up Tabcorp Park Melton for more community events and provide a better experience for racegoers.

The infield will: 

• Be cleared and levelled 
• Have drainage and irrigation installed
• The site will be landscaped

Picture: Member for Melton Steve McGhie, HRV CEO Dayle Brown, Tabcorp Park General Manager Gayle Harvey, Minister for Racing Martin Pakula and HRV Chairman Dale Monteith at the Melton venue.

This will enable the club to use the infield for marquees, children’s activities, and other entertainment on race days.

On non-racing days, the space will be available for a range of activities including equestrian events, music festivals, trade shows or community activities.

The funding will also see metal halide lamps around the course replaced with dimmable LED floodlights, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent.

The upgrade will save over $500,000 in electricity costs over 15 years, and incur significantly lower maintenance costs, as the new LED lights last 16 times longer than the current lamps. 

The two projects will support more than 30 jobs during construction over the next three months.

Harness Racing Victoria Chairman Dale Monteith has thanked the government for its ongoing commitment to the Victorian racing industry.