Norseman Racing Club receives funding to overcome damage caused by flooding

8/10/01
Racing and Gaming Minister Nick Griffiths today said the Norseman Racing Club would receive funding to repay a loan it took out following flood damage to its racecourse caused by cyclone Vance in early 1999.
Mr Griffiths said $15,000 had been approved by the Racecourse Development Trust to enable the club to repay its loan to the Country Racing Association, which was needed to restore the track to racing condition.
"The work included refurbishment of the stormwater channel and new pipes to help prevent further flooding," he said.
"It was also necessary to re-surface the entire track.
"The club managed to get the track in the right condition in just a few months. It was a great achievement for the club to be able to resume racing as early as they did."
Last year the Norseman Turf Club was forced to postpone a race meeting because the surface of the track was again unsuitable.
"The damage to the Norseman racing track in March of last year resulted from flooding and erosion caused by unprecedented rains from tropical cyclone Steve," Mr Griffiths said.
"In my last visit to Norseman, I met with club representatives and discussed with them the work they had done and some of the financial pressures they were facing due to the cost of repairing the track.
"This grant will be of great assistance to the Norseman Turf Club. It will mean some of the financial pressure facing it has been lifted and they can focus their funding priorities on organising successful high profile racing events in the region."
Media contact: Melissa Robinson 9222 8950 (w)