Demolition works to make way for an expanded 14-hectare parkland at Wentworth Park are not expected to be completed until 2029, more than two years after the greyhound track hosts the controversial industry’s final race in inner Sydney on Friday.
The Million Dollar Chase event is expected to draw thousands of spectators to the nearly century-old track’s final competition – one year earlier than planned – as protesters rally outside and greyhound industry bodies battle over plans for the future home of racing in the Sydney region.
The Minns government announced in July that the NSW Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) had requested and been granted an early termination of its lease over the Glebe venue.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the final competition at Wentworth Park, where races have been held since 1932, would trigger a major transformation of the broader 14-hectare site, which adjoins the soon-to-be-redeveloped former home of the Sydney Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay. He said rezoning around Wentworth Park will add an estimated 2500 homes.
“The redevelopment of Wentworth Park will help make sure the public spaces and recreation facilities needed to support growth are available for residents, workers and visitors for decades to come,” Scully said.
Preliminary works on the 3.3-hectare Wentworth Park Sporting Complex site, including early demolition to remove the greyhound racing track, are expected to start before Christmas, as detailed planning and approvals progressed for the removal of the 3000-seat grandstand.
The government said it would transfer management of the site to the City of Sydney once the racing infrastructure and grandstand had been demolished.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the council expected demolition would not be completed until 2029.
“Yes, that is still some time away but, as I often say, city-making takes time, and it will be worth it when we’re able to return this land to the community as one, unified park,” Moore said.
A City of Sydney spokesman said the existing Crown land manager, Wentworth Park Sporting Complex, would manage the site’s facilities – including function spaces, the grandstand and an oval for hire – until its existing licence and leasing arrangements expired at the end of September 2027.
The council will be responsible for delivering its plan to redevelop the central section of the site occupied by the greyhound track with sporting fields, multipurpose courts and walking tracks.
The southern end will feature a wetland, playground, exercise equipment and picnic facilities.
Despite arguing for an extension of the lease beyond September 2027, greyhound authorities changed tack months before the decision amid sustained criticism of animal cruelty, the financial sustainability of the industry, and debate over whether vast swaths of land could be better used.
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) this week announced it had chosen Richmond racetrack for a new racing precinct, which it estimated would cost $50 million to $70 million, to replace Wentworth Park.
The announcement triggered questions about how the project would be funded, and the racing body is considering asking the state government for help if final project costs are closer to $70 million.
Some racing industry insiders expected a state government loan would be unlikely. But GBOTA patron Luke Foley, a former NSW Labor leader, said the government should consider supporting a new home of greyhound racing.
“There’s an argument to be had; other sports receive support, and any support greyhound racing would receive would be modest in comparison,” Foley said.
The association said this week it had entered into a memorandum of understanding with a developer for a new greyhound racing and residential precinct in south-west Sydney. Chairman Geoff Rose said: “GBOTA is getting on with the job of finding practical, commercially responsible solutions for the next 50 years.”
GRNSW chief executive Steve Griffin criticised the proposal as “bizarre”.
“It lacks all detail and does nothing but confuse the industry at a time when clear direction is necessary,” Griffin said.
Griffin said he was open to suggestions and pointed to an industry summit next month as proof GRNSW was working with the association. However, greyhound racing participants not authorised to speak publicly said the relationship between the two industry bodies had significantly deteriorated.
The NSW government recently compulsorily acquired the former Appin Way greyhound track, which was owned by the association, for $22.5 million, to clear the way for the Cumberland koala corridor.
Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris said greyhound racing had “a strong future across metropolitan and regional NSW, especially following this week’s announcement the Sydney Metropolitan Racing Precinct will be relocated to the Richmond Club”.
Moore will join independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst, Greens MP Abigail Boyd, and federal Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi at a protest organised by the End Greyhound Racing at Wentworth Park group on Friday.
Moore this week urged the NSW government to phase out greyhound racing across the state.
“The end of racing in the City of Sydney should not be the start of a new chapter elsewhere.”
The industry will receive $10 million in compensation as part of the government’s previously announced decision not to extend the Wentworth Park lease beyond 2027.
A dozen greyhound tracks have closed or are destined for closure at regional centres across NSW, including Dapto, which held its final meet last year.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.