It has been about two years since Cessnock Greyhound Racing Club put forward a proposal for a centre of excellence to be built at Cessnock Showground.
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With the turmoil in the industry since then – including NSW Premier Mike Baird’s ban of the sport and subsequent backflip – the plans have sat on ice.
Cessnock City Council brought the proposal back into the spotlight with a motion at its November 15 meeting, reiterating its support for greyhound racing to be reinstated at the Cessnock track.
The motion by councillor Melanie Dagg asked council to support for the development of the centre of excellence, and to write to gaming minister Paul Toole, Cessnock MP Clayton Barr and Greyhound Racing NSW chairman Morris Iemma to indicate its position and seek their support.
The motion also asked council to state its support for the ethical treatment of animals and the safety and well-being of greyhounds, and other racing animals.
“Greyhound racing has a long and proud history in the Cessnock LGA and I believe it prudent that council show leadership by illustrating its continued support for the industry, provided that good governance, transparency and most importantly, animal welfare principles are followed,” Cr Dagg said.
“I grew up over the creek from the showground and it was always buzzing.
“If we can get the greyhounds back, we can get that buzz back again and create more economic activity.
“There is so much potential here.
“And it’s not just about bringing back the dogs – the industry can work towards rebuilding its image.”
Centres of excellence were one of the recommendations of the Greyhound Racing NSW joint working group in 2015.
But the organisation could not confirm that such centres will be part of the strategic direction of its new board, appointed in June this year.
The Cessnock club’s plans include three racing tracks made up of the existing single-turn circle track; a new, smaller track inside the existing single turn track, and a new straight track.
The proposal also includes a pet shop, a canine aquatic centre for the exercising and rehabilitation of dogs, and a veterinary complex and associated infrastructure, incorporating a veterinary hospital and consulting rooms to operate an adoption program of greyhounds that have finished their racing careers.
The plans also include improved facilities for the greyhound racing patrons at the track.
Race meetings ceased at Cessnock Showground in 2006, but greyhound activity has continued, with trials held every Wednesday and Sunday.
Cessnock Greyhound Racing Club vice-president Bob Whitelaw said while the plans for a centre of excellence were great for the Cessnock club, they were in limbo due to the state of the industry and the funding that would be required.
He said he appreciated the council and Cessnock MP Clayton Barr’s support, but he wasn’t sure what the next step would be.
“We’re in the ballpark – we had great feedback for our proposal,” Mr Whitelaw said.
“We’ve got so much to offer but I’m not sure we’ll have the finances to support it.”
