Request for Proposals to Prepare a Feasibility Study For: South Australian International Equine Multi- Purpose Centre and Quarantine Station at Roseworthy

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Request for Proposals to prepare a feasibility study for: South Australian International Equine Multi- Purpose Centre and Quarantine Station at Roseworthy.

Executive Summary: The University of Adelaide is proposing to seek interest in the establishment of an International Equine Centre at the University’s Roseworthy Campus with satellite facilities and programs being delivered at strategic South Australian equine locations including: Gawler, Oakbank, Morphettville, and Murray Bridge Racecourses.

The vision for the South Australian International Equine Centre at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy Campus, is to provide world leading facilities to underpin the competitiveness, jobs and the growing popularity of equestrian pursuits across a wide range of disciplines within South Australia and to further the scientific and educational programs already in place.

The Regional Development impacts of this proposal will extend well beyond its ability to support excellence in equine industries and a knowledge economy around equine health and performance. There are long supply chains across South Australia and global equine enterprises. This proposal brings growth potential for all South Australian regions with equine interests and related industries. The specialised equine feed industry in the proximity of the proposed facility site is itself an export commodity of high value. The potential for growing the feed industry in Roseworthy and nearby soils, connected to research on feed responses and high-performance diets, can develop the kind of specialization that sees new industries flourish.

The location is particularly strategic, not only for access to major cities, port, and airport, but its adjacency to the Barossa wine industry. The Barossa is itself a home to thoroughbred breeding and training and over many years has reflected the winning combination of a globally celebrated wine region and high- quality equine assets and facilities. Whilst the Barossa’s wines stand high in international reputation, attracting the highest export premium of any wine region in Australia, there are also substantial tourism and gastronomy facilities to leverage. Symbiotically, the Equine Centre will add another window to the Barossa Tourism offer and one that sits companionably with wine, food, and creative arts. Horses and fine wines are long time stable mates, around the world. Quality accommodation and food, and rich cultural experiences are accessible to those who come to Roseworthy and wish to visit the Barossa.

The Equine Health and Performance Centre (EPHC) already established at The University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy Campus, is a world-renowned educational facility in Veterinary sciences and medicines. The creation of the International Equine Centre adjacent to the EPHC would form a leading, central, and comprehensive venue for horse medicine, education, breeding, and sports in Australia and on the world stage.

1 Project Facilities:

 International Equine Centre.

To cater to and support these broad goals it is anticipated that the International Equine Centre would include a multi-purpose indoor arena/stadium, outdoor arenas and a cross country track for the Olympic disciplines (dressage, show jumping, eventing), as well as for other disciplines such as endurance trail riding, camp drafting, rodeo, polo, polocrosse, carriage driving and vaulting. It is proposed that the indoor arena will have seating facilities for up to 5000 attendees and be fully air-conditioned (ideally solar fed) for those hot summer days. The proposed facilities would also serve to attract a broad range of clientele and visitors alike by serving as a hub and home for a variety of equine events, horse breeders and veterinary students from across Australia and the world. The facility should be suitable for a variety of uses to attract a range of income streams.

 Quarantine Station: A horse quarantine facility is also proposed for the Centre, making it the first outside of Victoria and New South Wales, allowing international horses to directly enter SA and to remain in training once they have arrived for thoroughbred racing, or for the South Australian Mitsubishi Motors Australian Three Day Event, which is Australia’s premier equestrian competition. Outcomes:

Investment, Education and Economic Growth: Investment in new equine event and quarantine facilities. Investment in administrative, accommodation and other support services. The potential to develop and frontier avenues of training for equine events at an Olympic level. Physical therapies for injured animals as well as post event recovery. New equine medicinal products. Development and Growth of Equine fodder products. Attraction of graduate and postgraduate international students including expansion of boarding facilities. Highly trained specialist veterinary staff for placement interstate and overseas. Services such as event training programs and event recovery regimens. Potential to develop new equine medicines for production and export. Potential for an Equine Skills Academy developed.

Job Growth:

• Horse Track riders • Horse Handlers • Horse Trainers • Veterinary Nurses • Veterinary Technologists • Equine Education, Therapy, Mental and Disability Health Support. • Quarantine Services/Education Streams. • Event Management • Farriers/Stable Hands /Grooms • Stipendiary Steward Training • Various Equine Discipline Trainers-School Equine Sports • Stallion and Mare Handlers • Equine Breeding Managers • Course Managers • Jobs in Construction/Maintenance etc.

Roseworthy Key Advantages: The availability and allocation of quality, flat land for the project. The University owns 1,600 hectares of contiguous rich farmland at its Roseworthy Campus.

Availability of essential infrastructure including power, water and telecommunications and proximity to the Northern Expressway.

A School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences which provides numerous world-class educational programs.

Additional courses could be introduced as the State Equine Centre would be a catalyst to focus on global equine courses, equitation science, farrier, animal feeds etc.

Existing education and training facilities to support the attraction of national and international students across a broad range of equine disciplines.

Existing business model for attracting international students and available land and support infrastructure to expand on-site student accommodation, facilities and resources associated with the Equine Centre and international promotion.

The Equine Health and Performance Centre and 24-hour Hospital Facility (The EHPC), is a recently appointed equine facility at the Roseworthy Campus that provides the best and most comprehensive services to the equine industry and recreational horse owners in South Australian. The EHPC is a major referral center for complex cases and attracts local and interstate clients. There is no other facility in the State that provides such excellence in research, services, and veterinary teaching. The EHPC employs 26 staff including: veterinarians with specialised Diplomate qualifications in Surgery, Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, Theriogenology and Sports medicine and rehabilitation.

There is also a 24-hour hospital facility at The EHPC that is staffed by qualified nurses.

The addition of the International Equine Centre would further cement both South Australia and The University of Adelaide as THE place for equine education, medicine, and sports in the Southern Hemisphere.

Scope of Work: The proposed scope of work for the feasibility study includes assessment of a sustainable mix of facilities and activities, capital costs, operational models and costs and income streams for the Centre and a Masterplan for the site.

Feasibility Study Components:

• Meetings with various stakeholders. (Equine area representative bodies/Council/Adelaide University/Quarantine/Thoroughbred SA/Breeders etc.) (RDABGLAP can brief on previous consultative work) • As assessment of (including modelling ROI) on the Investment, costs, and potential revenue streams of the 2 main projects, the mix of facilities and assets. See:1) Roseworthy International Equine Center and 2) SA Quarantine Station proposed facilities lists set out below for reference • An Economic Impact Analysis -showing job and economic growth • Draft and Final feasibility Study. • A Masterplan for the site • Modelling for all potential revenue streams and overall estimated project costs to determine ROI scenarios.

Research Links:

University of Adelaide Roseworthy Campus: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/campuses/roseworthy/

Werribee Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY5JqBun0oU

Werribee: https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/the-sport/racing/tracks-and-facilities/werribee-international-horse-center

South Australian Thoroughbred Breeders: http://sabreeders.com.au/

South African Jockey Club: https://www.gautengjockeysacademy.com/education

The British Racing School: https://brs.org.uk/

Horse SA: https://www.horsesa.asn.au/

National Equestrian Center: Werribee Park: http://wpnec.com.au/

Regional Development Australia also has equine research work they can release. https://barossa.org.au/

Equestrian South Australia: https://www.sa.equestrian.org.au/content/equestrian-sa-sace

Thoroughbred Racing SA : https://www.theracessa.com.au/contact

Light Regional Council: https://www.light.sa.gov.au/yourcouncil/contactus

Potential Facilities and Infrastructure: (with recommendations for a sustainable mix of facilities to be determined in course of the Feasibility Study work) The proposed masterplan will deliver several stadiums and arenas that will cater to national and international events. These facilities will be supported by quality horse stabling and agistment, training and warm-up areas. In addition, a quarantine facility will allow for a direct import process into South Australia, while offering the highest quality of individual care throughout the process.

Draft CONCEPT PLAN of Roseworthy International Equine Centre.

Equine Assets that need to be considered and costed for the Feasibility Study:

• A Horse Quarantine Facility which will allow horses to remain in training once they have arrived in Australia for thoroughbred racing or for the Australian International Mitsubishi Motors Three Day Event, Australia’s premier equestrian competition (this will need to be located away from other activities with a sufficient buffer zone) • A training track which will be required by the Horse Quarantine Facility as well as for education and training purposes • An administration building to house offices and permanent space for Horse SA and other organizations • Training facilities with riding simulators for track riders and other disciplines • Stable blocks-paddocks and stabling for horses (for agistment and competitions) • Cattle blocks (for camp drafting and truck offload areas) • Multipurpose indoor climate-controlled arena/stadium- (Seating from 2500-5000) • Multipurpose outdoor arenas and warm up facilities. • Sand dressage arena • Camp drafting/barrel racing arena • Cross country and recreational horse-riding trail • Polo fields • Show Jumping Arena • Commercial outlet for equine products • Feed barns and storage sheds • Performance evaluation center including a high-speed treadmill and motion capture for gait analysis • Equine Rehabilitation/Therapy Centre (including water treadmill, etc.) • Breeding facilities to include a recipient mare herd for embryo transfer - currently the nearest facility of this type is interstate • Conference Centre and club house for external users • Accommodation ranging from camp style (powered and unpowered) to 5 stars • Student Training Classrooms. • External small business food outlet facilities • A central common use amenities block • A road and parking system to support floats, traffic flow and horse safety • Grass areas for aesthetic and public use • Equine park residential development for horse owners.

• The Asset mix may include all the above or components that offer best opportunities together with other capabilities that might be identified during consultation. Evaluation of Proposals: To be Eligible, Proposals must be submitted to RDA Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains Inc either by delivery in person to 28 Murray Street Tanunda (attention Trevor) or by email submission (via drop box if necessary) to [email protected] by 6 pm on 16 November 2020.

Enquiries for further information may be made to [email protected] and additional information about the project will be posted at barossa.org.au/equine centre.

Eligible EOIs will be assessed against the requirements set out below:

Eligible proposals will:

• Fall within budget parameters of $45,000(gst excl) maximum • Commit to meet the project timelines of draft report by 15 February 2021 and Final report by 1 March 2021. • Demonstrate ability to meet schedule timelines • Articulate relevant qualifications, experience, capacity, and capability to undertake project • Provide evidence of creativity and practicality in past projects design and execution • Clearly demonstrate capabilities in finance, financial modelling, and project design • Demonstrate clear grasp of concept and project structure • Indicate capabilities in meeting with and consulting with all equine industries and potential partners