GRNSW Call Police Over Missing Records

Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) can today confirm that NSW Police, at its Wollongong station, have been notified of missing computers and financial records at the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society Ltd.

The confirmation from the new administrator comes as GRNSW welcomes today's decision in the Supreme Court of NSW to set a prompt hearing date in its dispute with the Dapto Agricultural & Horticultural Society.

The dispute has arisen since the Dapto Agricultural & Horticultural Society's secret plan to shut down greyhound racing at the iconic Dapto track was revealed last month.

The hearing is set for February 10 and 11.

The computers and financial records have been missing since an administrator, Mr Grant Carroll, was appointed by GRNSW on November 6.

GRNSW has previously made repeated attempts to meet with members of the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society – and to have access to the missing information.

GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Mr Tony Mestrov said:

"The concerns of GRNSW are well noted, and we welcome the NSW Supreme Court's decision to expedite the hearing as we also seek court orders for the administrator to access all financial documents," he said.

"The matter of missing computers has been referred to police. We are also considering this week the appointment of an auditor. At the core of our concerns are financial irregularities, and we are confident the truth will come out.

"While we are pleased that greyhound racing at Dapto continues in the interim, I would also like to make the following points in context of the past few weeks:

"One, that GRNSW knows what it costs to run a greyhound track. There are 30 other greyhound tracks around NSW we can benchmark against. The records of the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society, as provided to date, claim that it makes a loss on this facility, in circumstances where no other track in NSW makes such a loss. It is clear that nearly every cost of the showgrounds is inappropriately apportioned as against greyhound racing, and that some income arising from greyhound racing may not be credited to it. This gives rise to substantial concerns about the accounting practices at the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society.

"Two, despite reports to the contrary, GRNSW has never had any desire to take over all operations of the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society. It merely is concerned to promote greyhound racing in NSW as a competitive and sustainable industry with a high level of public trust.

"Three, there has also been much speculation around GRNSW having received the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society's plans for the showgrounds 12 months ago. The plans which were provided to GRNSW are for improved racing facilities at Dapto, not for the deletion of the greyhound track and the replacement of the showgrounds with a shipping container terminal, or light industrial facilities, or a retirement village.

"Four, at no stage has GRNSW been seeking to gain any advantage in commercial negotiations. GRNSW has appointed an administrator to ensure that taxpayer and industry funds are being utilised in a lawful, responsible and proper manner."