By Sebastian Nicholls

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IF a planned multi-million dollar upgrade of the Beaudesert Racetrack is scrapped it will set the local industry back at least 10 years and take Beaudesert off the racing map, according to some local trainers and investors.

The upgrade is currently being reviewed as part of the LNP’s commitment to overhaul Racing Queensland.

While the move to shake up the industry has been welcomed by several racing bodies, local representatives remain concerned funding previously earmarked for country racing will be redistributed to city-based tracks.

Some Beaudesert trainers and investors say if upgrades to the Beaudesert racetrack and training facilities are mothballed, they would be forced to walk away and cut their losses.

However, as local stakeholders wait for the result of the government’s review, local trainers are already feeling the impacts of further delay to the project.

Work Place Health and Safety officers have ordered a restriction on training prior to 6am due to electrical issues and suspended the use of lighting.

In turn, this has reduced the time available in the morning on the track and left some trainers unable to juggle training and other work commitments.

Despite ongoing concern, the Times understands works to address immediate safety issues at the Beaudesert facility would likely be undertaken no matter the final outcome of the review currently under way.