Greyhound Racing NSW intends to close 11 of its 26 tracks throughout the state by June 30, 2026, following a decrease in demand.<\/p>\n
A report by Deloitte Australia commissioned by Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) found that only 12 tracks were needed around the state.<\/p>\n
But the organisation will instead close 11 and keep 15 open.<\/p>\n
Chief executive Steve Griffin said GRNSW would reduce its racing footprint to 15 tracks over the next 10 months or so.<\/p>\n
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Greyhound Racing NSW plans to close 11 tracks around the state. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
Among the tracks slated for closure are seven non-TAB tracks: Coonamble, Potts Park, Wauchope, Young, Kempsey, Moree and Tamworth.<\/p>\n
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Steve Griffin says the tracks will be closed over the next 10 months or so. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
The TAB clubs to be closed are Maitland, Wagga Wagga and Broken Hill.<\/p>\n
Gambling helplines:<\/p>\n
Racing has also recently ceased at Dapto, bringing NSW’s total number of still operational tracks to 26.<\/p>\n
GRNSW said it was awaiting a response from the state government in relation to its request for an extension to the lease at Wentworth Park.<\/p>\n
Once the government\u2019s intention is known a decision regarding the future of metropolitan racing will be made.<\/p>\n
Mr Griffin said the report ranked the clubs according to a range of criteria, including suitability, areas of access, profitability, racing injuries and the costs involved to bring them up to minimum track standards if required.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clubs have until November 14 to respond to the recommendation before the board makes a final decision.<\/p>\n
Local club devastated<\/p>\n
The Broken Hill Greyhound Club said it was devastated by the decision.<\/p>\n
The local club has been running for more than 50 years in far west NSW.<\/p>\n
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Broken Hill Greyhound Club has been operating for about 50 years. (Supplied\u00a0)<\/p>\n
President Regan Edgecumbe said members were shocked and angry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“As a club we felt like we haven’t done anything wrong,” he said.<\/p>\n
“If something needs to be fixed or repaired, we do it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We make sure it’s done as soon as something’s not right.<\/p>\n
“We make sure it’s up and working for us for the next week.”<\/p>\n
Mr Edgecumbe said the track provided income for around 20 people.<\/p>\n
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Regan Edgecumbe says the club employs about 20 staff. (ABC Broken Hill: Katherine Spackman)<\/p>\n
“Whether it be the managers \u2026 the curators, through to the cleaners, through to our race day staff,” he said.<\/p>\n
“A lot of those people are semi-retired or retired or on pensions and it just tops up their back pocket every week.”<\/p>\n
Broken Hill trainers Peter and Wendy Whitford said if the local track was axed it would be the end of dog racing for them.<\/p>\n
“The closest track we have is Adelaide \u2014 so [we are] looking at a 10 to 12 hour round trip to go down and race,” Mr Whitford said.<\/p>\n
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Peter and Wendy Whitford with one of the pups they were about to start racing in Broken Hill. (ABC Broken Hill: Katherine Spackman)<\/p>\n
The couple has about 12 dogs, including five pups they were about to start racing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“The distance makes it very hard being like we are \u2013 hobby trainers,” Mr Whitford said.<\/p>\n
“It’d probably be the end of it for me and probably a lot of the other trainers in Broken Hill as well.”<\/p>\n
‘Greyhound racing shrinking’<\/p>\n
The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds has welcomed the announcement by Greyhound Racing NSW.<\/p>\n
President Amy McMahon said it was a big boost for animal welfare, pointing to the 13 greyhound deaths and “hundreds of injuries” in NSW this year. \u00a0<\/p>\n
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Amy McMahon has welcomed the decision by NSW Greyhound Racing to close 12 tracks. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
“There’s no way to make a greyhound racing track safe,” she said.<\/p>\n