Government Pivotal In Metro Racing Future

OVER to you, state government.

That was the prevailing sentiment following an at times lively forum into the future of NSW metropolitan greyhound racing at Wentworth Park on Tuesday.

Stakeholders from Government, Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA), Richmond Race Club, Greyhound Social Club and the participant base engaged in the meeting, seen as the first major public step in developing a metropolitan racing strategy in the absence of Wentworth Park.

With the lease at Wentworth Park set to expire in 2027 and the realisation that an extension isn't on the table, what city racing looks like post the famed Glebe circuit is the most crucial issue currently facing the industry.

In recent months significant work has been undertaken about identifying potential greenfields sites for a new home for metropolitan racing in western or south western Sydney.

Efforts to obtain government land proved futile meaning the development of a new venue will require both land acquisition and infrastructure spend.

To facilitate any such project – mooted to be in the vicinity of $40m to $50m – in the event suitable land can be obtained, the industry is leaning on the door of government to provide sufficient funding in return for an early departure from Wentworth Park.

Whether obtaining such funding is achievable remains a major topic of debate with five years to run on a lease valued at $1m per annum.

At Tuesday's forum, outgoing NSW GBOTA chief executive Steve Noyce declared that the industry should accept nothing less than a ‘gold standard' new facility, refusing to consider that alternatives should be entertained.

"We should be aspirational and proud of who we are and what we do as an industry," Noyce said.

"It's time to get out of Wentworth Park today. For the industry and its participants, it has outlived its usefulness.

"The government wants the land so let's rise out of that with a purpose and build a gold standard greyhound facility for the next 100 years.

"I'm staggered that the industry is considering anything less. The minister is waiting for something from us so let's get it done. The time for talking is over."

When quizzed by a GRNSW official about the notion of investing in new infrastructure at a venue already owned by the industry, presumably Richmond, a non GBOTA venue, Noyce quipped back.

"This feels like a vote one Richmond meeting – it's a set-up … it feels like a set-up."

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— Mick Floyd (@MickFloyd) April 10, 2021

A representative of the Minister for Racing Kevin Anderson at Tuesday's meeting provided some insight into how industry can work with the NSW Government to support a relocation.

"Government has been working with Greyhound Racing NSW and GBOTA to try and identify available Government land to assist industry with a relocation," the spokesman explained.

"That process has been unable to identify any Government owned land suitable for a new metropolitan greyhound track. The NSW Government is encouraging industry to articulate a strategy moving forward so any potential support can be considered."

With stakeholders presenting to the room, representations about the future of metropolitan racing were made by the NSW GBOTA, occupiers of Wentworth Park, along with Richmond Race Club and Greyhound Social Club.

Richmond presented a strong case that given they own their land they are well positioned for the facility to be developed into a showpiece industry venue.

Greyhound Social Club declared Potts Park was ready to evolve and play an intrinsic part in the future dynamic of the industry with the prospect of TAB status well within reach.

Also involved in discussions were western Sydney trainers David Smith, Justin King and Peter Lagogiane, the trio telling officials that it's pivotal that any transition out of Wentworth Park provides sufficient metropolitan racing opportunities for participants right across the state.

Track safety was also at the forefront of discussions as was the idea of revolving a selection of metro dates into regional areas.

With plans to have some clarity by November as to the feasibility and viability of the options canvassed, the next few months are critical in regards to the future of metropolitan racing.

Every turn of the calendar essentially means the bargaining position of the industry retracts as the 2027 exit date edges closer.

Whether the industry sees out the lease at Wentworth Park through to 2027 will be determined by government and what compensation, if any, is available to vacate early.

But this is an emotive issue as much as it is a financial one and if the ‘gold option' as it was described at the meeting isn't palatable it would appear there is a lot of work to be done for all parties to get on the same page about what ‘silver and bronze' options look like.

In the meanwhile, government is waiting and that's the first domino to fall.