Lords Raceway leaps forward

Wednesday 23 February 2011

The Lords Raceway will take a leap forward in both occupational health and safety and environmental efficiency, with the installation of a new diesel generator and dimming technology to the track's floodlights.

The installation of this technology, worth more than $320,000, would significantly reduce the energy output from the raceway.

The new lighting system will include dimming technology that allows the track's floodlights to be dimmed before and after each race, and only used to full capacity while races are being run.  This will result in a 34 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions and power costs, while also extending the life of the lamps from 8 to almost 11 years.

Lords Raceway will be the second Victorian track to benefit from this technology, after the successful world-first track lighting control and dimming technology was installed by the harness racing industry at Tabcorp Park in Melton.

Lords Raceway will also benefit from one of harness racing's most important occupational health and safety initiatives with the installation of a new diesel generator.

The new generator will power 25 per cent of the track lighting, thus enabling safe completion of a race in the event of a malfunction with the grid.

The generator is an essential piece of equipment for clubs conducting night races, in order to ensure the safety of participants and the general public.

The Government is contributing $160,500 to the project, with the remaining $160,500 being contributed by Harness Racing Victoria.

The installations are expected to be completed by mid-2011.