No End In Sight For Lithgow Project ‘Circus Show'

THE long-awaited return of TAB racing at Lithgow appears no closer with the two controlling bodies struggling to find common ground over the future direction of the project.

Initial plans for a $3.1 million transformation of the track were abandoned last month when the Greyhound Recorder revealed that the NSW Government had shelved hopes that the project would be funded from the $18.3 million remaining in the Capital Grants Program (CPG).

That decision left Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) in the unenviable position of having to reassess their plans for the track and identify a more financially viable option which was first announced in March, 2023.

It's understood a watered down version of works – estimated to cost in the vicinity of $550,000 – was put to the Greyhound, Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) for consideration.

READ: NSW Government Reaffirms Funding Support

But following a report into the track by expert David Eager, those plans were ultimately rejected, with GRNSW now working on tabling a second proposal to the integrity arm to not only allay safety concerns, but also ensure it remains financially viable to proceed.

With participants in the region becoming increasingly frustrated after digesting a raft of unfulfilled promises, GRNSW interim CEO Wayne Billett acknowledged those frustrations, while reaffirming the organisation's commitment to the project.

"I fully appreciate the frustrations of participants," Billett said.

"What we are now focused on is being open and transparent with participants and telling them the full story and getting the job done.

"The fact is we are working with GWIC to get alignment on what work needs to be carried out and once we've reached that we will commission work to start.

“The board remains committed to seeing Lithgow through.

READ: Trainers Welcome ‘Shock' Lithgow TAB Racing Return

"Originally the proposal for Lithgow was a full redevelopment. Now we are looking at an abridged version that still sees best practice safety introduced, just with the use of a lot of the existing infrastructure already in place."

It was in March, 2023 that amid much fanfare, then GRNSW CEO Rob Macaulay announced that $3.1 million would be spent to bring Lithgow "a state-of-the-art track” the industry can be proud of.

That was after the Lithgow Greyhound Racing Club gifted GRNSW the land in return for the commitment of a new track.

“I am delighted to be able to announce that work will begin shortly on the upgrade to Lithgow, our oldest club in Australia,” Mr Macaulay then said in August, 2023, adding that "racing is expected to commence in early 2024".

But work didn't begin in August nor did racing start in early 2024.

With things still idle, last month, just shortly before his departure, Mr Macaulay issued a statement to participants saying that "we are going to resume TAB racing at Lithgow in the next two to three weeks".

READ: Lithgow Apply For Dates After Rebuild Setback

That statement sent shockwaves through both GRNSW and GWIC given the scope of works hadn't even been signed off on for the project, let alone commenced.

Mr Billett added that when a way forward is determined for the project, participants will be the first to know.

"As soon as we have something clear and concise that we are actually confident we can deliver on, we will let the participants know," he said.