Last bark at the Park – NSW government to close iconic Sydney racetrack

Wentworth Park greyhound track will cease racing from September 2027, with the New South Wales government to convert it into sporting fields under the control of the City of Sydney.

Greyhound racing has taken place on the inner Sydney suburban site since 1932, but with the lease set to expire in 2027, there was always a fear from those within the industry that the site on the edge of the Sydney CBD would be required for other purposes.

That was confirmed by Premier Chris Minns on Tuesday, almost two years to the day after he had announced the controversial proposal to close thoroughbred track Rosehill, which was ultimately abandoned after Australian Turf Club members voted against it.

“We recognise Wentworth Park holds deep history and meaning for many people, and we know some will be disappointed by this change,” Minns said.

“But cities change and we have a responsibility to plan for the future.”

The 3.3-hectare Wentworth Park Sporting Complex precinct will be converted into community sporting fields and public green space, allowing for the rezoning of the surrounding area to support up to 2500 homes.

“Right in the middle of Sydney and connected by rail, light rail, ferries and the future Metro, our plan for the future of Wentworth Park will deliver much-needed new housing while also providing up to 20 new community sporting fields,” said Minns.

“This is more homes, more playing fields and better public spaces, alongside the infrastructure that makes neighbourhoods work. This is homes and community facilities delivered together, not one without the other.

“This is how we build a fairer and more balanced Sydney. By creating new housing in well-serviced areas, instead of pushing growth to places without the transport and infrastructure to support it.”

It leaves New South Wales greyhound racing without a metropolitan base, with the closest venue now at Richmond, 60 kms from the Sydney CBD.

The decision also comes off the back of the conclusion racing at Dapto, near Wollongong, and to wind up greyhound racing at 11 other tracks, including Maitland, Wagga and Broken Hill.

The government has promised $10 million to support the transition of greyhound racing from Wentworth Park to other racetracks, with those funds available to upgrade other tracks.

“The NSW government continues to support a competitive, responsible and sustainable greyhound racing industry with the highest standards of animal welfare and integrity that balances tradition with community expectations,” Racing Minister David Harris said.

“Greyhound racing is a valuable contributor to regional communities supporting thousands of jobs.

“While the curtain may be closing for greyhound racing at Wentworth Park, we will work with the industry to improve other tracks and ensure the sport safely continues into the future, including by enhancing the Capital Grants Program for track upgrades, with a further $10 million investment.”

The government’s decision comes on the same day that it released its response to the Inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW, conducted by Lea Drake.

The 722-page report made 65 recommendations for the NSW government’s consideration.

The NSW government will issue GRNSW with a new operating licence that sets out conditions legally requiring the organisation to address key recommendations of the Drake Inquiry.

It has also issued a Ministerial Statement of Expectations to the Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission (GWIC).

“A number of concerns and allegations relating to Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) have been raised with me and the Drake Inquiry addressed those concerns,” Harris said.

“This response will introduce a series of reforms and actions to instil a rigorous new operating environment to enable the greyhound industry’s governing body and senior leadership to best meet the high standards we demand.”

Harris said the Drake Report recognised that GRNSW has made progress since the Special Commission of Inquiry by Michael McHugh in 2016.

“Ms Drake’s report contains a large number of recommendations, which I have used to inform the suite of measures enacted today,” he said.

Among the additional expectations put on GRNSW are increased oversight of greyhound rehoming programs, ensuring sustainable and transparent funding for animal welfare, improved reporting to the Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission (GWIC) on greyhound deaths, action on minimum track standards, improving a suite of internal GRNSW’s policies, board charters and code of conduct and setting requirements for reporting by GRNSW on progress with implementing these reforms.