The $38 million transformation of the Gold Coast Turf Club into an international night racing attraction in underway.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the approval for the multi-million redevelopment of the 75-year-old racecourse, which already features on the international racing calendar with the signature Magic Millions Carnival.

“This multi-million-dollar redevelopment will transform the Gold Coast Turf Club into one of the best racing venues in the country,” she said.

“At the election, we made a promise to invest in new infrastructure to create jobs and rebuild the economy on the Gold Coast. We’re delivering on that commitment.

“This project will create jobs for local construction workers and will deliver great benefits for the local racing industry on the Gold Coast for years to come.”

The $31.5 million comes on top of $1.5 million the government has already provided for feasibility and planning, with the turf club also contributing $5 million towards the project, which will go to tender later this year.

The improvements on the Gold Coast Turf Club will be focused on night racing

Racing Minister Grace Grace said the redevelopment would see the racing surfaces completely modernised with an all-weather synthetic track, the latest technology in lights for night racing, and an in-field tunnel to provide increased equine welfare and health and safety benefits, along with increased commercial opportunity.

“The Gold Coast Turf Club redevelopment is the next game-changer for Queensland racing,” she said.

“This investment means Australia’s favourite holiday destination will now have another thrill to offer, potentially rivalling Hong Kong’s massive tourism drawcard, Happy Valley.

“On an annual basis, the Hong Kong Jockey Club contributes 1.3 per cent of Hong Kong’s GDP – Just a fraction of that would provide a massive boost to the Gold Coast and SEQ’s economy and jobs.”

Ms Grace said the exciting racecourse project will provide an additional 330 jobs during the construction phase alone, will additional jobs to be added to the tourism and hospitality sector.

“By the time the new turf club is ready, the south-east corner will have thousands more hotel rooms and tourists – including a new hotel and apartment tower at The Star Gold Coast casino,” she said.

“The Gold Coast racing industry already supports almost 1100 local jobs from trainers and jockeys through to hospitality workers, farriers and equine nurses.”