Priority: Griffin To Seek Answers On WPK Future

NEW Greyhound Racing NSW boss Steve Griffin has declared that securing an answer on the future of Wentworth Park "a key priority" as he moves to hit the ground running at the helm of the sport.

Griffin, who commenced his new role at the start of the month following six years as the boss of the industry's regulatory arm, has wasted little time in outlining his plans for the industry to ensure a "thriving, inclusive, transparent and sustainable" future.

Atop of that agenda is determining the future direction of iconic venue Wentworth Park which has been the centrepiece of NSW greyhound racing in the heart of Glebe since 1932.

"It's vitally important that we get our track optimisation strategy right and the future of Wentworth Park is an integral part of that," Griffin said.

"As has been well documented the industry's lease at Wentworth Park expires in September, 2027 which is closing in rapidly.

"We need an answer from Government one way or another sooner rather than later as to its future.

A bumper crowd at Sydney's Wentworth Park

"The industry's preference is to stay but if that's not achievable then we need to rip the band aid off and start working through alternative options for metropolitan greyhound racing in NSW.

"As an industry we can't afford for this to drag out past this year. We need an answer."

Last year, GRNSW provided Government with an unsolicited proposal for the future of Wentworth Park, outlining plans to reinvigorate the precinct with lively public space, also serving as a multipurpose sporting facility.

That proposal was met with condemnation from Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore who took the extraordinary step of writing to Glebe residents calling for them to oppose the move.

In response to the proposal, a spokesperson for Minister for Lands Steve Kamper, said "the Minns Government has been clear that we require greater utilisation and community activation of the (Wentworth Park) complex" while announcing that "clarity on the decision making process will be revealed in due course."

Minister for Lands and Property, Multiculturalism and Sport Steve Kamper Picture: NewsWire

And while Wentworth Park is at the forefront of discussions, Griffin said the industry's overarching track optimisation strategy will pave the way to solidifying the sport's future.

"For the industry to be sustainable and thrive we need rationalisation of our racetracks and this is step one," Griffin said.

"We need to reduce our cost base while at the same time increase revenue and to do that we need to make better use of the infrastructure and facilities we have at our disposal.

"We'll engage a third party to oversee the track optimisation strategy and be fully transparent with the clubs about the process we are undertaking."

Griffin makes no secret in revealing that straight track racing is set to play a far more integral role in the sport's future.

"The data is there for all to see that it is the safest form of racing and at the core of all our decisions is the welfare of the animal," he said.

"I'm strong in the belief that 10-dog straight racing can play a key role in the future with the bigger fields driving higher wagering outcomes while preserving safety at the same time."

Iconic racing venue Wentworth Park in the 1970s

It's understood that an announcement on a new straight track isn't far away while plans for a further straight track are progressing well, albeit in the "early stages".

Griffin said that while a new-look GRNSW is moving forward on a number of plans and initiatives, things will really accelerate following the finalisation of the highly publicised Drake Inquiry into the organisation which was launched last July following the departure of former CEO Rob Macaulay.

It's expected Ms Drake will hand down her findings and recommendations to Racing Minister David Harris on April 30.