Harness Racing NSW is providing a benefit to industry licence holders by extending licences until the end of next year to tie in with the calendar year racing season.
Licensees will be provided with a 4-month period added on to the current licence period to run through until 31 December, 2022 at no additional charge.
The added extension will give licensees 16 months for the cost of the year already renewed and will run until the commencement of the new racing season on 1 January, 2023.
The goodwill offer comes despite HRNSW paying increased premiums for both the Personal Accident and Public Liability policies this year to cover the extension.
The Public Liability policy for clubs has also been extended to take in the remainder of the term.
HRNSW Chief Executive John Dumesny said this was another way that the organisation is assisting licensees across the state. It is in addition to numerous other initiatives implemented this year to assist industry participants.
“The past two years have been challenging on all industries and ours is no different. It is why we have taken steps where possible to reduce the costs but at the same time align the licence period to the racing season,” Mr Dumesny said.
“I know this will be a welcome to licence holders but I would also encourage everyone to forward plan for the annual renewal period that will take place next year.”
Licence renewals will be issued in late September 2022 for renewal through to 30 November, 2022.
“The usual two-month window will be available to participants to complete their renewals (to 30 November). However, licence renewals after that date will be only processed through to mid- December. Failure to meet these deadlines, especially at that time of year, could lead to delays,” Mr Dumesny said.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of getting next year’s licence renewals done in a timely manner,”
“We see a late rush year-in-year-out but with the change of licence period to align with the calendar year racing season, the capacity and availability for HRNSW personnel to facilitate last-minute applications in late-December may be problematic. So I strongly urge licensees to ensure that renewals requirements such as medical clearances are undertaken when renewals are received.”
For clarity the HRNSW personal accident cover is for all harness racing activities other than in registered races where drivers in NSW are covered by workers compensation polices held by clubs.
