More and better night events can now be held at Dubbo Showground following an electrical upgrade that allowed for the local Harness Racing Club to be the first in NSW to install LED track lighting.

Dubbo Harness Racing president John Lew said that it was a recent upgrade to the underground cabling for the electricity supply that gave the club the confidence to improve the lighting at the track.

“These lights are the ‘Rolls Royce’ of lights and make Dubbo the first Harness Racing Club in NSW to install LED track lighting, which was only possible following the underground work and State Government grant that was completed first,” Mr Lew said.

“It improves visibility, there is next to no warm-up time, and it increases efficiency and availability of the replacement lights,” he added.

Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson said that the upgrade – that included new LED lighting installed on the eastern side of the harness racing track – was part of Council's commitment to renewing ageing infrastructure across the local government area.

“This upgrade ensures the community has access to the facilities well into the future," Cr Dickerson said.

"While better lighting assists in helping us to attract more events and gives organisations the confidence we have quality infrastructure in place when it comes to hosting their events,” he added.

Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders noted that the previous NSW Government had assisted with the electrical upgrade, by providing $168,276 from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.

“The Dubbo Showground is one of our region’s most iconic landmarks, however the old track and arena lighting was no longer fit for purpose,” Mr Saunders said.

“The upgrade provides user groups such as Dubbo Harness Racing Club and Dubbo Show Society certainty around evening events, while also enhancing safety at the showground," he added.

Mr Lew said the works saw the installation of 40 track lights on 20 poles around three-quarters of the Dubbo Showground Paceway, with the works undertaken by JLE Group and supplied by Musco Lighting Australia.

The earlier ground work included the removal of redundant cabling and light fittings and installation of new cabling, conduits, a switchboard and a fuse panel. Those works were undertaken in 2022.

The Dubbo Harness Racing Organisation has also put forward $302,225 to purchase new lights to connect with the underground upgrades.