RACING Queensland officials are in Cairns today (Tuesday) hosting a regional consultation meeting as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to develop a plan for the future of racing in the state.

It comes as an online discussion paper was made available last week to industry participants and the wider public to have their say on racing in Queensland’s future.

Minister for Racing Bill Byrne said country racing played an important role in regional Queensland and the consultation meetings, including today’s consultation in Cairns, had provided an opportunity for clubs and stakeholder groups from across the state to contribute to the plan.

“As I stated in Estimates last week, I know how important country racing is to our regional communities. I have always enjoyed myself at these meetingss and it is important that these events continue,” Minister Byrne said.

“I am on the record as saying that this Government has committed to fund Country Racing in the 2014/2015 year as well as in the 2015/2016 year.

Minister Byrne said representatives from the state’s Country Racing Associations have been in attendance at consultation meetings, including Mackay’s meeting yesterday, and had expressed their passion for country racing and its importance in the community.

“The Government recognises the importance and the community benefit these meetings bring, which is why we continued the $1 million in funding to support the Showcase Country Series, the Celebrate Country Series and the Sustained Country Series,” he said.

Racing Queensland CEO Ian Hall said it was critical every group within the industry had an opportunity to comment and was pleased to report the discussions had been very productive.

“From the feedback we have had, many participants are saying they are pleased to be part of a process like this where representative groups from across the industry and across the state had come together,” Mr Hall said.

“This has ensured the interests of participants, including jockeys, harness drivers, owners, trainers, breeders and TAB and country clubs from the three codes, have been represented in these discussions.

“With the contributions of all these people and the wider industry through the discussion paper, we have an opportunity to consider every group and their interests as we develop a plan to secure the industry’s sustainability.”

The discussion paper is available at http://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/racing/tracking-to-sustainability.html