Flemington racecourse, the home of the Melbourne Cup, is to be drought-proofed with a $1.8 million expansion of its desalination plant, saving millions of litres of drinking water each year.
The Victorian government will contribute half of the project’s funding through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund, allowing approximately 150 megalitres of water to be sourced from an underground aquifer annually.
The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is providing the remaining funding with support from City West Water.
“This is a landmark project for a landmark racecourse which will lead the way in water saving measures for racing and sporting venues in Victoria,” Racing Minister Denis Napthine said on Sunday.
The VRC’s CEO Dale Monteith said the in situ desalination (ISD) technology was established at Flemington, the site of the world’s only two operational units.
Sunday’s announcement will see a further six ISD units installed in time for the 2012 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The initiative will fully service the considerable irrigation requirements of Flemington’s famous 2.3-kilometre course proper and training tracks.
“The plans announced today will create tangible environmental benefits while providing a blueprint for water conservation that hasn’t existed until now, highlighting that Victoria and the VRC are not only world leaders in racing but also in environmental sustainability,” Mr Monteith said.
