Mr Day says the new track will be safer for greyhounds. Photo: Goulburn Greyhound Racing Club.
A “long and, at times, frustrating process” has reached the finish line after a regional council approved a new greyhound racing track.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council (GMC) gave the 370-metre track the go-ahead, with several conditions, at a recent meeting.
Goulburn Greyhound Racing Club (GGRC) manager Patrick Day said the club was pleased with the result, which brought an end to several years of work.
“The straight track is a key pillar of our 2025-2035 Strategic Plan. It complements our focus on safety, racing diversity, and facility enhancement,” he told Region after the decision.
“Alongside infrastructure upgrades like improved lighting and emergency kennel facilities, the straight track forms part of a long-term vision to future-proof the club and its offerings.”
Under the conditions, the track can be used any day of the week (but not after 10:30 pm) for racing one day a week and the facility will be closed on Christmas Day.
Use of the track will also need to be coordinated through council and booked through the usual event process.
According to the final environment report submitted to council, the track would have a total length of about 370 metres (with a racing length of 300 metres).
The proposal also included infrastructure to support the track, as well as light poles.
Plans for the new straight track at Goulburn Recreation Area, in the NSW Southern Tablelands region, were first lodged in 2022.
“It has been a long and, at times, frustrating process,” Mr Day said of the delay.
“However, we appreciate the strong support we received from the councillors throughout.”
Documents submitted to GMC show the track would not affect access to the recreation area, which would be through Braidwood Road.
The documents also state the track would cover an existing dirt track, and would be covered in grass (rather than an initially proposed sand track).
“The track is grass with removal fencing along the track in locations where there is no existing fence (harness track fence),” according to the environmental report.
“The drag lure drive is removable as is the starter box area. Thus, there is little remaining as a permanent fixture other than grass and the sand catch pen area.”
An existing circular greyhound racing track, a harness jogging track and a greyhound slipping (training) track are already located nearby.
GGRC expects construction work on the new track will start in the next financial year, before it opens in mid-to-late 2026.
Mr Day said an independent economic assessment had predicted the track would inject more than $10 million into the Goulburn economy annually through things like visitor spending, animal welfare jobs and expanded racing opportunities.
“It sits within the designated sports precinct and has been aligned with the broader master plan to coexist alongside harness racing and training, basketball, dog obedience and other recreational uses,” he said.
“We believe it will enhance – not detract from – the precinct’s value to the community.”
He said the track’s straight design meant less risk of interference and it would have improved lure systems and optimal surface profiles for safety reasons.
“The straight track provides a safer, alternative racing format and enables us to cater to greyhounds that perform better on straight line surfaces.
“It will also increase our ability for trainers to choose on what track format they train, trial, and race their greyhounds, considering suitability, supporting both animal welfare and participant engagement.”
In a statement, a GMC spokesperson said it was committed to making sure different users of the recreation area could keep using the area.
“Included in the development application is a removable fence along the track, so that other recreation users are not blocked or disadvantaged and so that vehicles can access and cross the track,” they said.
While council has given it the go-ahead, the project also needs final approval from Water NSW and council’s management plan for the recreation area also needs to be updated.
