22 December 2020
The Warwick Dragway precinct is set to receive an upgrade to national event level after a successful Local Economic Recovery (LER) funding submission by Southern Downs Regional Council.
The Local Economic Recovery (LER) Program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The $1.9M funding will cover the extension of the dragstrip to a 1/4 mile, and the extension of the existing braking area and return road, a holding loop, construction of pit lanes, and upgrade of the staging area to national level and installation of a new grandstand for spectators.
The community will benefit from the upgrades at Morgan Park and it will assist the region which was heavily impacted by the Queensland bushfires in September 2019 with local and regional economic recovery.
Southern Downs Councillor Marco Gliori said that our sporting events have always been significant in bringing visitors to our region and provide a great opportunity for our local tourism businesses to benefit by working together with organisers.
“Events are an important part of the Tourism economy for the whole of the Southern Downs and Granite Belt. Across the region our events attract more than 100,000 visitors here and while they’re here they contribute to the local economy” Cr Gliori said.
The current precinct caters for drag racing events, driver training and other community events. In addition to providing locals with a safe venue to race, the Dragway will attract an increase in visitation which will contribute significantly to the income of other businesses such as motels and restaurants.
The Warwick District Drag Racing Association currently hosts eight major events each year including VW Nationals, the Six Banger Nationals and Dragfest, attracting entrants from all over Australia and New Zealand, with entry numbers regularly in excess of 200 race teams. This upgrade will provide significant opportunities to attract nationally significant events in the future.
Construction at the Warwick Dragway will commence in 2021.
For all the latest Council news and information, visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au. Alternatively, call 1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372), email mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au, or use the MySDRC app.