Werribee Racing Club will soon have a much-needed brand new operations building and a more sustainable water supply, thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines today announced the Labor Government’s Victorian Racing Industry Fund (VRIF) is investing more than $558,000 into the Werribee Operations Building Upgrade project, with the club contributing more than $167,000 and more than $390,000 from Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria.

The upgrades include a new building with rooms for race day officials alongside the current grandstand, providing a more modern space for stewards and jockeys.

The project has supported 30 jobs during construction and is expected to be finished later this month.

Minister Carbines also announced a further VRIF investment of more than $148,000 into the Werribee Water Sustainability project, with the club chipping in more than $44,000 and more than $104,000 from Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria.

Currently, the Club buys thousands of litres of potable water to maintain the racecourse surface to a standard that is safe for officials, jockeys, and horses. The project will allow for 150,000 litres a day, a new bore, and a licence to pump water from the nearby Werribee River.

This will give the club ample water to keep the track in good condition year-round and reduce costs. The project has created five new jobs during construction, and is expected to be complete later this year.

Since December 2014, the Government has invested more than $1.82 million to support racing infrastructure projects at Werribee Racing Club.

The thoroughbred racing industry generates $3.43 billion for the Victorian economy and helps sustain over 25,700 jobs.

Quote attributable to Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines

“Our investment will help ensure race meetings at Werribee operate smoothly with modern infrastructure for industry participants, as well as a safe, consistent racing surface and significant cost savings in the long run.” 

Quote attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“Werribee Racing Club has a proud history spanning more than 150 years, and we’re making sure it has a bright future with these two significant improvements.”

Quote attributable to Werribee Racing Club Chair Robert Jarvis

“These are two much needed projects that ensure that Werribee Racing Club has the facilities to continue operations. We thank the Victorian Government for its support.”