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Clouds of uncertainty are hanging of Darwin racing as the NT Government prolongs deliberations over a new TAB contract and the future of Fannie Bay racecourse.

The local racing industry is becoming increasingly uneasy over the long delay in the signing of a new TAB contract by the NT Government.

The current contract with Ubet (Tatts Group) expires after 15 years on June 30.

A new long term agreement was expected to be resolved well in advance of the expiry date after Ubet (Tatts Group) and Tabcorp were the only bidders when tenders for the contract closed more than six months ago.

At the same time Darwin Turf Club is becoming increasingly uneasy about the future of the Fannie Bay course amid suggestions the NT Government wants racing moved to a new site at Hidden Valley, approximately 6km from its current site.

Darwin Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon has admitted there is growing concern racing will be moved from the Fannie Bay course, a venue that was opened in 1955 and is located only five minutes from the Darwin CBD.

“The speculation is that the NT Government is considering the relocation of Fannie Bay,” Dixon told the NT News.

“We like to act transparently and if Government was considering the possibility of relocating Fannie Bay (to Hidden Valley) we would be more than happy to sit down and look at the pros and cons,” Dixon said.

However Dixon said there was currently no support from the local racing industry for a relocation, the view being moving the home of NT racing would hinder the development of the DTC and Darwin Cup carnival, the Northern Territory’s biggest tourist event.

“”We want to create partnerships at Fannie Bay and while the relocation rumour floats around it stifles negotiations,” Dixon said.

“People want certainty if they are going to invest in a partnership with the Darwin Turf Club.”

It is understood negotiations between the DTC and developer to build an exclusive hotel at the Fannie Bay course have been put on hold because of the uncertainty.

“We were reasonably advanced in negotiations but they were put on hold,” Dixon said.

The Fannie Bay course sits in the electorate of ALP Opposition leader Michael Gunner, who has called on the CLP Government to clarify the situation.

“The CLP should just rule out the Darwin Turf Club moving from Fannie Bay,” Mr Gunner said.

“It just does not make any sense that the CLP has not come out and said that the turf club is safe.

“The fact that the CLP has not come out and cleared this up is starting to worry people that the turf club is going to be moved.”

A racing insider said the lack of long-term vision for Fannie Bay from the NT Government goes hand in hand with its indecision over renewing the exclusive TAB licence.

The licence is the largest single sporting contract in the NT, estimated to be worth as much as $300 million depending on the length of the contract that gives the licence holder exclusive rights to operate TAB facilities through retail agents, pubs, clubs and casinos.

Ubet also holds the exclusive TAB licences in Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania where the racing codes receive a set percentage of betting turnover.

However the funding of NT racing differs from others states as the NT Government takes all betting taxes and then determines the amount it distributes to the industry annually.

The view is it is too late for the licence to be granted to Tabcorp with Ubet expected to be granted an interim 12 months extension of the current contract.

A spokesman for the NT Department of Business said the assessment process had recently been completed.

“Awarding the NT Totalisator Licence is a significant decision and one that the NT Government does not take lightly,” he said.

“We are focussed on ensuring the best value for money and outcomes for Territorians, our punters, our racing industry and for our pubs and clubs.

“There will be a continuation of services and racing programs will not be affected including the upcoming Darwin Cup carnival.”