Greyhound racing will continue at the Wagga track. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The Wagga Wagga greyhound track has been saved from closure – just days after calls for it to be shut immediately following the deaths of two young greyhounds.
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) announced on Tuesday night (1 September) that Wagga would remain open, with the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) stepping in to take over the club and fund upgrades to the existing track.
The decision comes after animal welfare advocates called for the track to be closed immediately following the death of two greyhounds in the space of just 10 days.
As reported by Region, two-year-old greyhound Inspection died following a collision at the track on Friday (28 August).
His death came just 10 days after two-year-old Tiggerlong Socks was euthanised after suffering compound fractures to both front legs following an incident at Wagga.
The deaths reignited calls for the track to be closed, with Wagga already earmarked for closure as part of GRNSW’s broader overhaul of the NSW racing network.
“The closure of the Wagga track must be brought forward. There’s no need for dogs to race and die on this unsafe track. Why is racing allowed to continue on a track that doesn’t meet minimum safety standards?” NSW Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds director Kylie Field said.
But instead of closing, the track will now receive a major lifeline.
GBOTA has committed to funding upgrades to bring the existing Wagga circle track up to GRNSW’s Minimum Track Standards and will take over the operation of the club.
The group will also operate Wagga and Temora within the existing 104 race meetings allocated to the Riverina, meaning it will not seek additional meetings.
GRNSW had consultancy Deloitte reassess Wagga following the proposal.
The original assessment ranked Wagga 20th among NSW tracks, putting it among those earmarked for closure.
The new assessment lifted Wagga to seventh, after taking into account the proposed investment, commercial viability, tenure, injury data and the cost of bringing the track up to standard.
GRNSW chief executive Steve Griffin said the decision meant the Riverina would continue to have two tracks.
“We are very happy for the people of Wagga who were naturally upset when the original announcement was made to close the track.”
Wagga Wagga’s greyhound track is set to continue operating. Photo: Wagga Greyhound Club.
However, the proposed new straight track at Wagga has been rejected.
Deloitte found the Riverina did not have sufficient demand to support another track, with current greyhound numbers and nominations supporting no more than 111 race meetings a year.
GBOTA president Geoff Rose said the organisation understood the decision on the straight track and would not object to it.
“I think this is a great outcome and it has been very pleasing that the GBOTA and GRNSW boards have been able to communicate together and get a positive outcome for the industry and for community in Wagga,” he said.
Wagga Wagga Greyhound Club president Ben Talbot said the decision was the result everyone involved had been fighting for.
“You will hear Wagga cheering from Sydney,” Mr Talbot said.
He thanked GBOTA for following through with its commitment to save the club.
“It’s one thing to say we’re going to help you, but they have followed through and backed it 100 per cent.”
The decision means the Wagga track that was previously destined to close by 2027 will instead remain open and undergo upgrades – despite renewed controversy over its safety following the two deaths in August.
