Dear Editor,

In Merton, extensive lobbying by associated groups and individuals, including the Mansfield Shire Council, has ensured that commonsense prevails and the Merton Picnic Races will remain a feature of our local community for many years to come.

The Mansfield Race Club has also won a reprieve of sorts for its country races due to extensive lobbying, including an excellent submission by the Mansfield Shire Council.

Is the result satisfactory? Well, that depends on how you look at it.

Compared with Racing Victoria’s initial proposal to cut $43,000 per year of funding immediately the result may indeed be considered reasonable, but compared with the situation for Mansfield Race Club two years ago (the downgrading of one of its two race meetings and a 20% cut in funding from $43,000 per annum to $34,400 with zero funding after five years) it can hardly be considered a good outcome.

It’s now time for the Brumby State Government to live up to its claim that it governs for all Victorians and to make infrastructure grants and other funding available to Mansfield Race Club.

As for Mansfield, the outcome achieved by Benalla Race Club is better than that originally proposed by Racing Victoria, which was to cut all funding for the training centre and to immediately remove another race meeting. Benalla Race Club will now receive $128,000 for maintenance and operating costs but nothing for infrastructure improvements. This will reduce Benalla Race Club’s ability to retain existing trainers and attract new trainers.

In 2008, the Minister for Racing, Rob Hulls, said, “Country racing clubs, such as the Benalla Racing Club, play an essential role in the social and cultural life of rural and regional communities across Victoria.” Given that statement, it is now time for the Brumby Government to step up to the mark and provide appropriate funding.

I will continue to pursue these matters with the Minister for Regional Infrastructure funding, Jacinta Allan. My initial enquiry will relate to $350,000 which was promised for upgrading irrigation systems 2/3 years ago but which has not yet been delivered.

The results listed above have been achieved due to a co-ordinated effort by Benalla and Mansfield Race Clubs, trainers, local government and other people affected as well as the Liberal/National Party Coalition.

Yours sincerely,

Bill Sykes MP

2/22 Carrier Street

Benalla