Queensland government to spend $4m on greyhound racing track upgrade

[ad_1] A Queensland greyhound racing observe with a excessive harm fee is anticipated to obtain a $4 million improve lower than two years after its final renovation.

The Bundaberg greyhound observe, 4.5 hours north of Brisbane, has been closed since September 2024 over considerations too many canine had been being injured.

Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Membership president Ricky Hassall stated the business was happy with the federal government's determination to transform the floor from grass to sand after months of uncertainty.

"They're a part of our household, our greyhounds, and no one needs to see them get damage," he stated.

He stated the improve would additionally embody transition corners, making it "a lot safer" for the canine.

"Each grass observe is usually getting remodeled to sand," Mr Hassall stated.

"The largest downside with grass is they have an inclination to get their ft caught … and sadly generally break a leg, which is horrible."

Stephen Bennett, Tim Mander and Ricky Hassall on the Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Membership. ( ABC Information: Johanna Marie )

Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander has stated the conversion would value as much as $4 million and be carried out by Racing Queensland.

"It is going to be excellent news for greyhound racing within the Extensive Bay, and it is also excellent news for our animals as regards to animal welfare," he stated.

"By having a sand observe right here and utilizing extra fashionable expertise as regards to the design of the observe … that may cut back the harm charges." The Coalition for the Safety of Greyhounds's Annie Hendley stated the upgrades had been a waste of taxpayer cash.

"It's astounding that in the course of a housing and price of dwelling disaster, the LNP Queensland authorities is prepared to blow tens of millions in public cash on a brand new greyhound racing observe," Ms Hendley stated in an announcement.

Bundaberg has the final two-turn grass observe in Queensland. ( Equipped: Racing Queensland )

"There are not any secure greyhound racetracks.

"The federal government is both deluded or mendacity after they say {that a} new observe in Bundaberg might be any higher."

Racing Queensland (RQ) initially promised the conversion in 2023 after the completion of a $1.4 million improve of the membership's services, nonetheless, the work by no means progressed.

A 12 months later, the business physique shut the membership down after a Queensland Racing Integrity Fee (QRIC) report discovered 42 canine had been injured with one deceased or euthanased over a three-month interval.

The report confirmed the state's solely two-turn grass observe had the next fee of accidents per 1,000 starters than different bigger tracks, together with Albion Park in Brisbane.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">Journey subsidy to proceed The Bundaberg greyhound racing business injects an estimated $9.6 million yearly into the native financial system.

For the previous seven months, RQ has paid greater than $52,000 underneath a journey subsidy for Bundaberg-based trainers to attend races in Rockhampton and Brisbane.

Mr Hassell stated it was a "horrible" state of affairs for trainers and their canine travelling lengthy distances.

"It is harmful at evening, and also you're fatigued," he stated.

"You drive 4 hours to a racetrack, race your canine after which drive residence." Mr Mander stated the journey subsidy would proceed to be provided till the observe conversion was full.

"I am not 100 per cent positive how lengthy it takes to do a lot of these tracks, however it's going to have precedence, and we need to be certain we get these folks up and operating as rapidly as doable," he stated.