Excited about the future. From left, George Dore, EasternVictoria MP Edward O’Donohue, Cardinia Shire Councillor Graeme Moore, Racing Minister Denis Napthine and Pakenham Racing Club chairman Don Duffy. Picture: Kim Cartmell
By Melissa Meehan
A DAILY double could soon be brought to Tynong, after Racing Minister Denis Napthine floated the idea of moving the Tynong Railway Station to the new racecourse, making use of extra car parking on the site.
On his second visit to the new racecourse site, Dr Napthine put pressure on his colleague Eastern Victoria MLC Edward O’Donohue to take advantage of his role as secretary of transport and push for the station to be moved, or an extra platform to be built beside the new racecourse.
“If there was at least a platform near the racecourse both the community and those who use the racecourse could use the parking available,” he said.
“Doing that could alleviate parking pressures on railway stations further down the line.”
Dr Napthine met with Pakenham Racing Chairman Don Duffy, steering committee member George Dore and Cardinia Shire councillor Graeme Moore for a tour of the new site in muddy conditions last week.
He braced the cold for what he described as one of the most exciting things to happen in Victorian racing.
“I’m excited about the project,” Dr Napthine said.
“We can literally see this opportunity in front of us and it was a great idea – I applaud the racing club for having the idea and vision to make this happen.”
It has been 50 years since Victoria has built a new racing track and Dr Napthine said the new development could change the face of racing forever.
“This will be a world-class facility, including a large grass track, a synthetic track, opportunities for trainers and retail shops,” he said.
Mr O’Donohue congratulated the Pakenham Racing Club for the way they had overcome the issues that had confronted them, such as the overhead powerlines to the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant.
“The new racecourse is an exciting development for the West Gippsland and Pakenham communities,” he said.
“It will generate a significant number of jobs and encourage additional investment in equine activity.”
When pressed on the issue of moving the train station, he said the racecourse development at Tynong was an opportunity to examine other local infrastructure, such as the railway station.
“As a local member I will be pushing for investment in railway stations,” he said.
The recent sale of the Pakenham Racecourse for $38 million means the Pakenham Racing Club can officially move to Tynong in 2013.
The sale of the 60-acre property means the club can fund the $44 million first stage of the new development.
Racing Victoria chief executive Rob Hines welcomed the news of the sale.
“We look forward to working with the Pakenham Racing Club as it embarks on the construction of its new racing and training facility at Tynong,” he said.
“This represents a unique opportunity for the racing industry to build a state of the art facility that will service a large horse population and showcase racing to the vibrant and growing communities in the region.”
