MEDIA RELEASE
WENTWORTH PARK ANNOUNCEMENT
It is with deep sadness that we provide this update following Today’s announcement that Wentworth Park will close in September 2027. The news came without warning, and like many of you, we were blindsided.
Wentworth Park has stood at the heart of metropolitan greyhound racing in New South Wales for almost a century. More than a venue, it has been a symbol of our sport’s heritage, built by volunteers, sustained by generations of participants, and supported by a community whose passion has shaped an entire industry. It’s closure represents far more than the loss of a racing precinct; it marks the loss of memories, milestones, and the hard-earned progress of countless people who believed in the future of greyhound racing.
Over the past two election cycles, the GBOTA Board has worked tirelessly to develop a responsible and sustainable metropolitan alternative plan. While we pursued an extension of the lease, our goal was never to hold on to the past. It was to secure the time required to design, fund, and deliver a new metropolitan venue, ensuring continuity for the industry and preserving the future of metropolitan racing.
We are therefore disappointed to learn that a small number of industry participants have communicated opposition to this strategic approach and are supporting an immediate closure. At a time when unity is essential, actions that undermine the Association’s collective work place the future of the industry at risk. Such misinformation weakens our position and strengthens the arguments of those advocating against greyhound racing.
Wentworth Park is the most recognised brand in Australian greyhound racing, delivering strong wagering returns that underpin industry sustainability. Losing this brand will have real consequences, and rebuilding its commercial strength will take time.
We must also convey our concern with the proposed $10 million exit package. Given the substantial investment the industry has made in the Wentworth Park precinct over many decades through infrastructure, maintenance, safety improvements, and community benefits, the figure presented falls well short of the true value being surrendered. We will be advocating firmly for a significantly improved settlement on behalf of our members, based not on taxpayer funding, but on a fair and reasonable distribution of POCT and TAB revenues.
As we move forward, the NSW GBOTA will continue to fight for a fair process, a fair outcome, and a secure metropolitan future for greyhound racing. We remain committed to keeping members updated and ensuring your interests are strongly represented at every stage.
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