Deloraine Racecourse Recreation Precinct

Description

The redevelopment has transformed the former racecourse into a welcoming public space that balances heritage preservation with modern community use. The project has created a new public space featuring walking tracks, parkland, and all-ages play space, amenities and historical wayfinding, while retaining significant heritage elements including the original grandstand, start gate and replica steeples. The Deloraine Racecourse is one of Australia’s oldest existing racecourses, with the final race meet held in March 2005. Following its closure, the site remained largely unused for almost two decades before community consultation commenced in October 2023 to help shape its future. The redevelopment was guided by strong local input, including ongoing support from the Deloraine Turf Club, The Deloraine Folk Museum and community members with longstanding connections to the site, who contributed stories and insights reflected in the historical wayfinding signage throughout the precinct. The project was delivered through a partnership between the Australian Government and Meander Valley Council. The redevelopment represents an investment of more than $4 million, including $3.35 million from the Australian Government under the Community Development Grants Programme, with Council contributing more than $800,000 and leading project delivery. “I’d like to sincerely thank the Australian Government for its funding support, without which this project would not have been possible,” Acting Mayor Cameron said. “Council is proud to have made a significant local investment to ensure the successful delivery of this project.” “For people across the Meander Valley this is now a place to come together to enjoy a walk, spend time with family, enjoy a BBQ or a play at the park,” Ms White said. “Investment in community spaces like this helps ensure towns like Deloraine continue to be places where people can stay active, connected and proud of where they live.” Today, the Deloraine Racecourse Precinct stands as a shared space where heritage, recreation and local stories come together, ensuring the historic site continues to play an important role in the life of the Meander Valley for many years to come.