Overview
- The auditor-general said only six of 14 promised racecourse upgrades are finished, with four yet to start and average delays of more than three years.
- The $58 million Racing for the Regions grant, awarded in 2021 and executed in mid-2022, sent money straight to Racing NSW to upgrade nine regional tracks as COVID stimulus.
- The Office of Racing learned of the scheme after it was announced, signed the deed before scoping the works, and failed to keep full records of oversight meetings.
- The Audit Office used follow-the-money powers to review the program, reviving calls to let government auditors examine Racing NSW’s finances, which usually sit outside routine audit.
- Racing NSW’s chair blamed slow development approvals and pointed to an independent project manager, though new Scone stables opened for 520 horses after a 600-horse plan in 2021.