Moonee Valley to undergo billion dollar transformation
Melbourne’s Moonee Valley Racecourse is about to undergo a six-year, $2 billion transformation.
Work will begin on the first stage of a revamped Valley just days after the 2018 Cox Plate which attracted a sell-out crowd of over 38,000. This will include a residential section on the site of the existing members’ car park.
Moonee Valley Racing Club believes the new complex, which will include 2000 apartments housing more than 4000 residents, will see it become a world leader in terms of a racing, residential and community precinct.
The construction of a new racetrack and grandstand won’t start until after the 2022 Cox Plate.
The existing two grandstands would be demolished and replaced by a new grandstand on the northern boundary to accommodate the re-oriented racetrack. Specific details of the new stand remain unclear at this stage. The infield of the track would be activated for community and major event use with sports ovals likely to be built.
It is believed the 2023 version of the weight-for-age championship of Australia would need to be moved to either Flemington or Caulfield during the construction period.
After years of planning, the Moonee Valley Racing Club earlier this month was given the green light to start work on the first phase of the redevelopment.
The project, dubbed The Valley of Tomorrow, has seen the MVRC team up with superannuation fund HOSTPLUS and developer Hamton to transform the site, which will include 2000 apartments housing more than 4000 residents in the coming years.
Plans for the new track would see it moved in 60 metres along the northern boundary, with the new course widened from 24m out to 30m, and the circumference decreasing from 1805m to 1702m. All the key starting positions will be retained.
The new home straight would be increased from 173m to 317m, with the track having an uphill run from the 800m mark, with a rise of three metres to the winning post, making it a true test.
The redevelopment will allow for more race meetings at the venue with the possibility of up to 35 meets per year giving more owners and trainers the opportunity to race at the new Moonee Valley.
