The New South Wales Government has committed an additional AU$10m to the Greyhound Capital Grants Program. The funding will help tracks meet minimum safety standards as racing transitions away from Wentworth Park.
The latest allocation brings total additional funding linked to the transition to AU$20m. The investment forms part of the government's response to the Drake Inquiry, which has led to revised track standards aimed at improving greyhound welfare and racing safety.
The announcement coincides with the first race meeting at the rebuilt Lithgow track on 2 November. Work began in January and involved a complete redevelopment to meet minimum standards, including widening the track and installing a wider lure designed to reduce bunching among racing greyhounds.
The Greyhound Capital Grants Program provides conditional funding to Greyhound Racing NSW and clubs for upgrades intended to improve track safety.
Greyhound racing at Wentworth Park concluded on 16 October with the Million Dollar Chase, ending 94 years of racing at the Sydney venue. Racing operations are being transferred to other metropolitan and regional tracks from November.
The former racing site is set to be converted into community sporting fields and public open space as part of a wider 14-hectare parkland. The redevelopment is also intended to support housing growth in the surrounding Ultimo-Pyrmont area.
Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris said the additional funding was intended to keep greyhound welfare a priority during the transition while supporting a sustainable racing industry. Harris recently announced that he will not contest the next NSW state election in March 2027.
The funding comes amid broader leadership changes in NSW racing, with Graeme Hinton due to become Racing NSW CEO on 1 December, succeeding Peter V'landys.
Greyhound racing at Wentworth Park concluded in October after 94 years
