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Roll out rapid testing to help save iconic Victorian spring racing carnival

Major event that has been awaited by the crowd to forecast on 5 November.

By news@gippsland - 21st September 2021 - Back to News

Limited crowds could be returned for the spring racing carnival's headline events, including the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup, with a plan that may include the use of rapid testing.

The Spring Racing Carnival is the name of an Australian Thoroughbred horse racing series held annually in during October and November, but with the current pandemic, crowd will be limited

Limited racing crowd

Victorians have already lost the Grand Prix, the AFL Grand Final and yesterday it was confirmed the Caulfield Cup will go ahead without crowds on October 16. The plan to open up to events has a forecast date of November 5, after the November 2 Melbourne Cup.

This November 5 date is based on 80 percent of the population being fully vaccinated, but NSW is allowing limited racing crowds on course at 70 per cent fully vaccinated under the same Doherty model.

We now have the Cox Plate on October 23 at Moonee Valley and the Melbourne Cup week carnival starting on October 30 with Derby day at Flemington. Moonee Valley Racing Club has already announced it hopes to have a cap of 5000 patrons on course.

Optimism and hope for Victorians

Shadow Minister for Racing Tim Bull said, "These are not events where we can just wait and see. We have to give this industry and all Victorians some certainty, optimism and hope. The Carnival needs a clear plan forward to get crowds back trackside. Let's put the steps in place, with the necessary safeguards, to allow for limited crowds on course."

"Racing is a major driver of our Victorian economy and racetracks by nature are large spacious venues where we could host limited numbers of owners and members as a minimum. Let's have a conversation that may include fully vaccinated patrons and rapid testing. The Liberal Nationals have been calling for rapid testing to be deployed for months now in a range of circumstances where you get a result back in 15 minutes with upwards of 95 percent accuracy."

"After losing so many of our major events this year and crowds being barred from our popular country racing events, the iconic Cup Carnival is an opportune event to put this in place." Mr Bull said.

Getting the crowds back at major events

Shadow Minister for the Events Industry David Southwick said, "Major events are the heart and soul of Victoria and we need a plan to get our iconic events back on their feet. While New South Wales has a plan to safely get crowds back at major events, Victoria remains locked down and locked out. With rapid testing and other sensible measures we can start to develop a pathway forward that gives hope for the future."

Pictures from Spring Racing Carnival Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Protesters violating the sanctity of the Shrine of Remembrance.
• Million dollar cuts to Victorian agriculture is cruel disappointment to farmers as Andrews Labor government slashes funding
  Pet census and a destructive plan to shut down the native timber industry are the biggest ticket items for agriculture in a Labor state budget that's a cruel disappointment for Victorian farmers.
• Amphibious harvester arrives in Wellington Shire to help clean up weed problem in lakes
  A weed-eater that would help clean up the weed-causing problems at the lakes.
• Reply to Andrews Labor Victorian State Budget 2022/23 from Peter Walsh and the National Party
  The Nationals reply to the Victorian state budget and the reduced fundings.
• Coming opportunities for Victorian regional tourism economy as 2026 Commonwealth Games steadily approaches
  A boost to the regional tourism economy is just one of a swag of benefits for country Victorians ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
• List of best Victorian beaches to visit this summer in Gippsland
  Tips for your Gippsland beach discovery bucket list for you to visit and have fun with friends and family.
• Baw Baw Council welcomes Victorian government funding to support flood and storm recovery
  Baw Baw Shire Council welcomes the announcement of financial support from the Victorian Government to assist with our recovery efforts in the wake of the devastating storms that have recently struck our region.
• Massive black hole in Victorian government budget for regional areas like Gippsland
  Government's failure on projects and creating jobs for the locals, attempting to hide the real status of what was promised.
• Community invites to attend updates on major priorities for Victorian and federal government to support in Baw Baw Shire
  All members of the Baw Baw Shire community are invited to attend or tune in to an open briefing on Wednesday 11 May which will provide an update on council's ongoing advocacy initiatives.
• Traralgon and Warragul to benefit from Andrews Victorian government rural residential aged care facilities renewal program
  The Victorian Government is upgrading public sector residential aged care services across Eastern Victoria, creating new jobs and ensuring hundreds of older Victorians continue to receive the care and comfort they deserve.
• Worker shortage will derail Victorian and Gippsland farms and agriculture businesses
  The Andrews Labor Government has failed to step up to the plate to solve a desperate shortage of workers across Victorian farms and agriculture businesses.
• Draft economic development and visitor economy strategies for South Gippsland
  The Draft Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategies are now out for public comment.
• Students in regional Victoria such as Gippsland should not have to endure more weeks locked out of the classroom
  Students in regional Victoria should not have to endure more weeks locked out of the classroom.
• Gippslanders are owed an explanation for Victorian Government backing imported timber over the local product says Darren Chester
  Call for a review with the government decision in importing timber instead of using Victoria's good quality timber.
• Congratulations to Fiona Weigall for making Victorian Top 50 Public Sector Women as a General Manager in East Gippsland Shire Council
  The IPAA Victoria Top 50 Public Sector Women was announced at a function in Melbourne on Friday. Fiona said it was humbling to be recognised among the state's leading public sector female leaders.
• On-the-spot fines for trespass on Victorian farms still not ready nearly two years later
  New on-the-spot fines for extreme activists who trespass on Victorian farms and threaten the safety of farm families still aren't in place.
• Gippsland to share in $3B Victorian economy boost from 2026 Commonwealth Games
  Gippsland is set to shine on the world sporting stage in 2026, with the region being confirmed as one of the four regional hubs to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
• Urgent need to invest into neglected and crumbling Victorian regional roads stated in key report from Infrastructure Australia
  A new report, released today, makes a mockery of the Victorian Roads Minister's claim that our state's road network is now 'safer and smoother'.
• Tee-Up Golf Day 2021 in Traralgon raises $20,000 for suicide prevention and mental health with help of Russell Northe and Rotary Club
  Member for Morwell, Russell Northe has spoken of his pride with regards to the business and community support that was received for the 2021 Tee-Up for Mental Health Day to which Mr Northe co-hosted along with the Rotary Club of Traralgon.
• Moe Apex Park gets $60,000 lighting upgrades from Victorian Community Safety Infrastructure grant to improve surveillance and visibility
  Families and community members can now feel safer while enjoying Moe's community parks, thanks to new lighting funded through the Andrews Labor Government's Community Crime Prevention Program.
• Latrobe City Council calls for Victorian government to support for timber industry
  Release of code of practice for timber industry that has been on a long delayed by the state government.
• Answers needed from Andrews Labor government on how many Victorians are on surgery waitlist
  Victoria's health crisis leaves surgery waitlists have blowing out to more than 100,000, hoping for a change in government in November will be able to deliver proactive action on Victoria's health crisis.
• Puffing Billy tradition of sitting on window sills returns to the iconic heritage Victorian railway
  The time-honoured tradition of sitting on the sills of Puffing Billy will make its long-awaited return to the iconic heritage railway from today.
• East Gippsland to install 11 EV fast-charging stations with $400,000 from federal Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program
  East Gippsland is about to roll out the first public electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network for the region.
• Morwell Parklands Preschool gets $500,000 grant from Victorian state government 'Building Blocks' program
  The Victorian Government is making sure young children have access to the best kinder facilities with hundreds of projects to upgrade and improve learning environments while supporting local jobs across Victoria.
• Latrobe Regional Gallery to hold exhibition for eight-metre wide painting reflecting iconic Hazelwood Power Station from 2 April to 10 July 2022
  A new exhibition at Latrobe Regional Gallery (LRG) reflects on the role the iconic Hazelwood Power Station had in the lives of Latrobe City locals over several generations.
• Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) gets $7.5M additional funding via Victorian Ladder - Step Up program to create more jobs
  The Andrews Labor government will keep helping create more jobs in the Latrobe Valley, with another $7.5 million investment in the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA).
• Avoid tragedy over long weekend on Victorian waterways after two drownings last week
  Ahead of the long weekend, we are encouraging people to stay safe to avoid tragedy in our waterways.
• Public schools ideal to support better mental wellbeing of Victorian students but not enough workers to deliver it
  A pledge to better support Victorian students to settle back into school after months of isolating lockdowns will only make a difference if there's enough mental health practitioners to deliver it.
• Bellbird Park soccer pitch gets $800,000 funding from Victorian government through Local Sports Infrastructure fund
  Bellbird Park's main soccer pitch is set for redevelopment thanks to a $800,000 funding boost from the Victorian government's Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
• Vexatious court claims closes timber coupe for training Victorian essential service personnel at TAFE Gippsland
  Timber coupe being used by TAFE Gippsland for training Victorian essential service personnel has been targeted by vexatious court claims resulting in its closure.
• Shooting clubs across Gippsland to benefit from Victorian government's 'Shooting Sports Facilities Program'
  Shooting clubs across Eastern Victoria are celebrating after securing funding to upgrade their facilities.
• Andrews Labor Government must increase funding so Victorian school students get mental health support they need
  Labor needs to fund additional mental health support for the primary schools to give the young people the mental health support they need.
• Update on Esso Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) projects in Gippsland to help reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions
  The Committee for Gippsland's Gippsland Hydrogen Cluster hosted a presentation from Esso Australia in Sale last week, updating members on Esso's Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) projects.
• Funding of $500M for road and infrastructure in West and Central Gippsland via Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program
  More road and community infrastructure projects will be rolled out across Monash, thanks to a further $500 million in funding for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.
• Michael Whelan from Bass Coast Shire council joins Victorian government 2022 Mayoral Advisory Panel
  Bass Coast Shire Council has again been selected to represent other Victorian Councils on the state government's 2022 Mayoral Advisory Panel.
• Important Gippsland projects funded by 2022/23 Victorian government budget announced by One Gippsland
  With a new federal government in play and a state election at the end of the year, the One Gippsland team has been working hard to ensure that our beautiful region is top of mind for politicians and policy makers.
• Triangle Park in Marlogets $300,000 grant from Victorian government's Local Economic Recovery Program
  Triangle Park in Marlo is getting an upgrade, with the $300,000 project expected to be finished before Easter.
• Baw Baw Shire residents can book additional hard waste pick up service to help with Spring cleanup
  Additional hard waste collection bookings are now open for Baw Baw Shire residents looking to get their Spring cleaning done and dusted.
• Federal government puts agriculture at risk with refusal to implement strict biosecurity measures on 'Foot and Mouth Disease'
  The federal government's refusal to implement strict new biosecurity measures to stop foot and mouth disease (FMD) breaching Australia's borders risks decimating Victorian agriculture.
• Mental health cut $60M from Beyond Blue, Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia, Lifeline and Kids Helpline by Andrews Labor government
  Mental Health Minister James Merlino has confirmed almost $60 million of cruel cuts to mental health programs that were designed to help struggling Victorians recover from the pandemic.
• Timber innovation boost of $219.5M will build confidence for at-risk Victorian by creating jobs and investment sustainable technologies
  A $219.5 million boost for innovation and research in Australia's forestry sector today is a badly needed vote of confidence in Victorian jobs that State Labor is hellbent on destroying.
• Increases in Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and Jobseeker Payment payments to help keep up with the cost of living
  40,299 people in Monash will benefit from a boost to their social security payments from 20 March to help them keep up with the changes in the cost of living.
• Wurruk development four-year strategic plan adopted by Wellington Shire Council to help address acute housing shortage
  Council today took the first step to address Wellington's acute housing shortage, paving the way to facilitate the development of around 1600 new housing lots.
• Traralgon and Morwell stations get major upgrades as part of $504M Gippsland railway line funding from Victorian and federal governments
  Final designs have been released showcasing the major train station upgrades at Traralgon and Morwell Stations.
• More axed jobs to come in agriculture research and development leaving Victorian farmers less productive and sustainable
  Victorian farmers face less service delivery after the Agriculture Minister refused to guarantee today the Labor government won't make more job cuts at Agriculture Victoria.
• Steph Ryan will not be seeking re-election at 2022 Victorian election in November
  Member for Euroa and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan MP will not be contesting her seat at the 2022 Victorian election in November.
• State lifeline needed to make sure Victorian agricultural shows survive
  Victoria's agricultural shows and field days are desperate for a financial lifeline to ensure their survival into next year as COVID uncertainty continues to force more cancellations.
• Berrys Beach Road renewal in Ventnor gets $400,000 from Victorian government and $25,000 from Bass Coast Council
  A section of Berrys Beach Road in Ventnor will be renewed by Bass Coast Shire Council in coming weeks.
• Masterful performance by Seaspray athletes at Victorian Masters Championships 2022 in Lorne
  Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club members aged 35-73 competed at Lorne SLSC and the local community.
• Wonthaggi to Inverloch trail funded $3M from Victorian government's Growing Suburbs Fund
  Bass Coast Shire Council is thrilled to announce that the State Government's Growing Suburbs Fund will contribute $3 million to the development of a 14 kilometre path between Inverloch and Wonthaggi.
• Women in Business event to be held at West Gippsland Arts Centre on 17 June 2022
  Baw Baw Shire Council will host a Women in Business event featuring Olivia White and a panel of outstanding local businesswomen for an evening full of inspiration and valuable advice to help local women meet their business goals.
• Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club joins Interstate and Australian Inflatable IRB Championships at Mollymook in New South Wales
  Local lifesavers from Venus Bay SLSC were among 11 Victorian clubs to compete at the 2022 Australian and Interstate IRB Championships in Mollymook, NSW last weekend.
• Morwell food manufacturing precinct receives $10M funding from Victorian government that will give boost for Gippsland
  Ahead of this week's State Budget the Committee for Gippsland (C4G) has welcomed the state government's $10 million investment into the Morwell Manufacturing Precinct.
• Upgrades and specialist equipment for Gippsland early childhood education centres via Victorian government Building Blocks Inclusion fund
  Upgrades to early childhood education centres and specialist equipment to help improve learning outcomes.
• Coal mine rehabilitation made a priority for Latrobe Valley from Victorian government amendment to Mineral Resources Act
  The Andrews Labor government is improving the management of coal mine land in the Latrobe Valley once production ceases.
• Overhaul health system for better healthcare proposed by Victorian Liberal and Nationals government
  As Andrews Labor government neglects the healthcare crisis, Liberals and The Nationals have committed to bringing regional Victorian hospitals and the workforce up to date.
• Commitment to build new hospitals for West Gippsland and other regions from Victorian Liberal and Nationals government
  Regional Victorians deserve better care closer to home, which is what a Liberal and Nationals government will deliver.