Harness Racing NSW CEO John Dumesny says the sport is ready and willing to leave Broadmeadow for a Hunter Valley track but is "at the hands of the powers that be".
The existing paceway is within a 63-hectare parcel of state land, referred to as Hunter Park, which the government has earmarked to be developed as a sports and entertainment precinct.
The sport's relocation is essential for the redevelopment to occur and on Friday the Newcastle and Cessnock mayors called for funds to be allocated towards a new track in the upcoming budget.
"We've been only too willing and wanting to assist with what is a significant and very worthy development of that Broadmeadow site," Mr Dumesny said. "For it to occur, harness racing is the first matter that has to be dealt with, with the movement of the track, because it's right in the middle of it."
Mr Dumesny said it would cost "$25 to 30 million" to establish and move to a new facility in the Hunter.
"We've done all the work, it's not shovel-ready but it's ready to go," he said.
The Newcastle Herald has previously reported that the proposed track site is in or near Branxton. It is just beyond the southern electoral border of Upper Hunter, won by the Nationals Dave Layzell last weekend, and in the state electorate of Cessnock. Labor MP Clayton Barr was not aware of the site but welcomed the relocation plan.
"Cessnock Showground used to be a TAB-meeting harness track, they still have training there," he said.
"Some of the state and the country's leading trainers come from this area, so it makes perfect sense that we have a race track here."
However, Mr Barr questioned the government's commitment to the Hunter Park project.
"If it is a priority for the government, they seem to put a fair bit of effort into making it happen quite quickly," Mr Barr said.
"If it is not, they seem to be able to drag some projects out for many, many years."
Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp said Infrastructure Australia had listed the Hunter Park project as a regional priority while Business Hunter, the Urban Development Institute and the Property Council all support it. He was critical of the government for considering stadium upgrades at Brookvale, Penrith and Kogarah while appearing to overlook Broadmeadow.
"This government has spent over $1 billion on the Sydney Football Stadium and Bankwest Stadium, and now they're looking at throwing more cash at Sydney. The precinct would deliver a huge boost to the local economy and jobs, during construction and [ongoing]."
