It is going to be a lot brighter at the Dubbo Showground with an electrical upgrade and new LED lighting on the eastern side of the harness racing track now complete.
Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) received a grant from the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund to remove redundant cabling and light fittings and install new cabling, conduit, switchboard and a fuse panel. The works were undertaken in 2022.
The Dubbo Harness Racing Organisation has also put forward $302,225 to purchase new lights to connect with the underground upgrades.
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Mathew Dickerson said the upgrade was part of the commitment Council has to renewing ageing infrastructure across the local government area.
“This upgrade ensures the community has access to the facilities well into the future, while better lighting assists in helping us to attract more events and gives organisations the confidence we have quality infrastructure in place when it comes to hosting their events.”
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said he is proud the previous NSW Government could assist with the electrical upgrade by providing $168,276 from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.
“The Dubbo Showground is one of our region’s most iconic landmarks, however the old track and arena lighting was no longer fit for purpose,” Mr Saunders said.
“The upgrade provides user groups, such as Dubbo Harness Racing Club and Dubbo Show Society, certainty around evening events, while also enhancing safety at the showground.
“It will also assist council to attract even more major events to our region by providing adequate infrastructure.”
Dubbo Harness Racing president John Lew said it was the upgrade to the underground cabling for the electricity supply that gave the club the confidence to improve the lighting at the track.
“These lights are the ‘Rolls Royce’ of lights and make Dubbo the first Harness Racing Club in NSW to install LED track lighting which was only possible following the underground work and State Government grant, that was completed first.”
“It improves visibility, there is next to no warm up time and it increases efficiency and availability of the replacement lights.”
Mr Lew said the works saw the installation of 40 track lights on 20 poles around three quarters of the Dubbo Showground Paceway with the works undertaken by JLE Group and supplied by Musco Lighting Australia.
