It is understood the application centres around not only the racing history at the track but its Aboriginal history. The site is home to one of the first indigenous camps in Brisbane.

Albion Park Harness Racing Club chairman David Fowler said the track played an important role in the history of all codes of racing in Queensland.

“It’s got a lot of history to it, and I think it should be acknowledged in Brisbane’s history for the role it has played in the three codes of racing,” he said.

“It was probably more iconic as a galloping circuit because they raced there during the war and from the late 1800s.

“It was a real venue to not only watch the races but also to socialise because it went hand-in-hand with the Breakfast Creek Hotel.”

The harness club application follows a similar one it lodged with the local council.

It is the latest salvo in the battle between the club and Racing Queensland, which has expressed its desire to seek alternative venues for harness racing.

Mr Fowler said it was time the State Government and Racing Queensland told the industry what their plans were for the prized piece of land.

“All we keep getting is mixed messages — are they going to sell it or aren’t they?” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned, I want racing to stay at Albion Park. I’m not silly enough to realise that trotting can go by itself, it needs other sports, like what we have proposed with the AFL, to embrace the community but also give us income streams outside racing.”

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection is accepting submissions into the proposed heritage listing until September 11.

By Trenton Akers

Reprinted with permission of The Courier-Mail