Eagle Farm Redevelopment - Government Intervention?

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Eagle Farm grandstand redevelopment: 2026 deadline nears

www.racenet.com.au

Queensland's racing headquarters risk falling into "wrack and ruin" within the next two years if significant upgrades aren't undertaken, the Brisbane Racing Club's new boss has warned.

An August 2026 deadline has been set for the redevelopment of Eagle Farm's John Power Stand which is already beyond its intended lifespan, with recent engineering reports only declaring it "safe for now."

Incoming club chief executive Karl deKroo said the Brisbane Racing Club was cognisant of the squeeze on government money with the 2032 Olympic Games on the horizon. Far from being "just another problem", however, deKroo said the club wanted to be part of the solution.

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"Eagle Farm is the engine room of Queensland racing," deKroo said.

"It is headquarters for thoroughbred racing in this state and it is unthinkable that such a critical venue could be allowed to wither on the vine.

"After all its track issues it is now the best and most consistent racing surface in Queensland, if not Australia. There needs to be spectator facilities that are fitting of Queensland racing's showcase venue."

deKroo said he was supportive of the former state government's spending at other tracks around the state and said the time had come to support Queensland's major racing facility.

Artist illustration of the proposed The Terrace at Eagle Farm racecourse. Picture: supplied

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"The Brisbane Racing Club is not a club that has relied on handouts," he said.

"Over the past decade, our board and management team have worked tirelessly to diversify income streams through a strategic property masterplan and investment in our licensed clubs network.

"Every dollar we generate is reinvested into racing and our racecourses.

"We've self-funded a $50m training complex that brings little direct financial return to the club but drives the entire Queensland thoroughbred industry forward.

"That is the kind of commitment Eagle Farm deserves now.

"We certainly don't begrudge the major investment that has been made into greyhounds, or country and provincial racing, but there does need to be a recognition of the critical importance of BRC venues and the need to invest in metro racing for the good of the entire industry."

The BRC has been lobbying for a new grandstand at Eagle Farm for several years, and earlier this year revealed designs for a new scaled-down grandstand called "The Terraces".

The grandstands at Eagle Farm are reaching their 2026 deadline.

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"While regular engineering reports have declared it safe for now, we are facing an unavoidable deadline in August 2026. Action is not optional, we need to move and move quickly," deKroo said.

"We need to start enabling works now to ensure Eagle Farm can continue to operate, especially through key carnival periods, before the John Power Stand is decommissioned and construction of The Terraces begins.

"We understand the pressure on infrastructure funding, particularly with the 2032 Olympics on the horizon. However, Eagle Farm's significance to Queensland's economy and identity means it cannot be left to fall into wrack and ruin.

New Brisbane Racing Club boss Karl de Kroo.

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"We see an opportunity for Brisbane Racing Club to be part of the solution, not just another problem, we are keen to engage with Racing Queensland and the Crisafulli Government to work through options.

"There's nothing to say Doomben Racecourse, with its expansive infield, couldn't play a vital role in supporting the Olympic Games.

"From hosting a quarantine centre for equestrian events to providing training fields that deliver an ongoing community legacy, BRC stands ready to collaborate on practical, innovative solutions that benefit racing, the Olympics, and the wider community."