State politics has joined the discussion around the future of Australia's oldest continuous racecourse at Longford.
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Labor's racing spokesperson David O'Byrne met with organisers of a group hoping to stop the rezoning of land near the track for higher density housing due to fears it will threaten the racecourse's future.
He said Labor wanted the track to hold more meets and become an economic asset for the region, with a master plan the answer.
"We think that there's some fundamental questions about the opportunities that the Longford track presents and we think it should be seen as more of an asset," Mr O'Byrne said.
"I think it's seen more as just a training facility and that they will invest to keep it up to its current use, but that ignores the opportunity of a whole range of different uses.
"And obviously the concern around the zoning, and the potential impact on what could be a bright future for the Longford racetrack is of concern to us."
In other news:
Racing Minister Jane Howlett said Tasracing was developing a five-year infrastructure plan for industry consultation on the track and in the past three years, $500,000 was spent on improvements.
"The infrastructure options for the track, which will be discussed with the industry to set priorities, are all aimed at ensuring Longford continues to play a key role in the thoroughbred training landscape.
"[It] includes infrastructure options for the Longford track, including the creation of an 800m chute for horse trialling," she said.
"Tasracing has been in talks with Northern Midlands Council for some time regarding the Longford site and has discussed the creation of a master plan for development, which would benefit not only racing but the broader community."
The track hosts one race meeting each year and on average about 18 trial meetings but Ms Howlett said there were no plans for it to host more.
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