2011 REPORT ANNUAL - Racing NSW

CRDF Report
MAJOR PROJECTS IN PROGRESS
! Female Jockeys Amenities – ongoing preliminary building inspection/ engineering assessment program with subsequent
upgrading and/or construction of improved amenities on a “prioritised” basis.
! Golden West Race Club – upgrading of (potable) water, wastewater and electricity reticulation at Tyers Park racecourse
(Bathurst).
! Tamworth Jockey Club – design development for new public raceday/ functions complex.
MAJOR PROJECTS DURING 2011-12
Whilst operations of the CRDF will continue in accordance
with its ongoing development strategy, the current Race
Fields Legislation court case will potentially significantly
impact on the scale of project procurement over the next
twelve months. Should a favourable outcome be achieved
from these court proceedings, Racing NSW has signalled a
substantial injection of funding into capital improvements as
detailed in its 2010 Strategic Plan.
This funding, when combined with CRDF resources, will
substantially increase the resources available for capital
works and potentially represents the greatest opportunity
for strategic infrastructure improvements since
privatisation of the NSW TAB in 1998. The “Centres of
Excellence” earmarked by Racing NSW will represent the
most far-reaching initiative since establishment of the
Thoroughbred Regional Training Centres by the (now
defunct) Racecourse Development Committee in the late
1980's/early 1990's. The fundamental objectives of the
“Centres of Excellence” are the provision of high quality
racing, training and customer facilities.
Irrespective of the outcome of the Race Fields Legislation
court proceedings, construction of new raceday/function
amenities at Tamworth racecourse constitutes the CRDF's
singular largest anticipated commitment for 2011-12 and
represents the culmination of efforts to improve on-course
facilities. A “design and construct” contract has been
selected for this project in order to provide construction
flexibility (and potential cost savings) whilst ensuring that
pre-determined user requirements are met. The dual
functions of these facilities will be to provide substantially
improved public amenities on racedays, whilst also allowing
the club to generate significant non-core revenues from its
target market(s) for other commercial functions.
The CRDF will continue with its program of strategically
upgrading female jockeys' amenities across country NSW.
Audits thus far have revealed difficulties in some instances,
particularly as they relate to developing solutions within the
(engineering) constraints of old, undersized, pre-existing
buildings with load-bearing walls. This outcome may well
characterise the upgrading program – expanding current
female jockeys amenities within the building footprint of
existing structures (which in many instances are quite old) is
presenting some complex engineering/ building challenges,
particularly as load-bearing walls cannot be simply
demolished without potentially disastrous structural
consequences. Nonetheless, the CRDF continues to pursue
appropriate, cost-effective outcomes albeit in some
instances, the (structural) solutions may not be simple.
The CRDF also continues to provide ongoing support for
non-core functions including OHS, environmental
management and asset management. In 2010, Racing NSW
Country was able to secure the services of Mr David
Hodgson to assist in this latter role. Mr Hodgson is the ex-
Racecourse Manager at Royal Randwick, and is very highly
respected and well-credentialed. His expertise and
willingness to regularly cover large areas of country NSW
has proven an invaluable assistance both to the CRDF and
those clubs where he has been deployed to provide
specialise advice. We are attempting to balance the demand
for his services against the areas of greatest industry
need/priority, and the positive feedback received from clubs
confirms that his retention has been a great initiative for
country racing and a tremendous support for the CRDF.
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