Grafton Redevelopment Pushed Back To July

GRAFTON'S time honoured July racing carnival was never in danger of being lost.

Long-standing club president John Corrigan said he expected the $4.6 million redevelopment of the Grafton greyhound complex to begin immediately after this year's carnival.

Unforeseen delays to the project going through various Government departments has forced the delay to the start of the project.

Corrigan, the Grafton Club, and GRNSW who is backing the redevelopment, had hoped for an April start when the project was announced late last year.

“The club needs to acquire some of the Jockey Club's land for the project and we needed an agreement from the race club for this,” said Corrigan. “That took six weeks.”

“It then went to Crown Land to be ratified but that department had gone on holidays until the middle of January.

“Then it needed to be ratified by the head office at Dubbo which took another couple of weeks.”

The plans for the complex went into Grafton City Council last week.

“And, from every builder I have spoken to about such things, we could be looking at a delay of three to four months,” said Corrigan.

“Thus, we have decided the July Carnival would go ahead without interruption.

“Then we are looking at the project being completed within four to five months.”

Corrigan said GRNSW and the club had been working closely to ensure the project runs as smoothly as possible.

“We get on very well with our neighbours, and we certainly don't want to upset anyone while the project is being completed,” he said.

“I don't think a few of those involved realised just how big a job it is going to be. And, it has to be done right.”

Among the work to be conducted is a new racetrack, new starting boxes, safety rails and lure.

There will be an upgraded irrigation system, a major venue enhancement including enhanced track lighting, access paths and landscaping, and a brand new kennel building that incorporates an animal welfare facility.