The delivery of report by Deloitte Australia into racetrack optimisation in the NSW Greyhound Racing industry, has recommended reducing the number of racetracks in the State to 15 with potentially a staged reduction to the optimal number of 12 racetracks.
In May this year, GRNSW consulted with stakeholders at the Industry Future Summit, where it was agreed that optimisation was critical to the industry’s future and sustainability. Deloitte was commissioned to review data and criteria of each of the NSW tracks and clubs, with their report recommending a three-stage implementation plan.
While Deloitte’s analysis indicated that the optimal number of racetracks for NSW is 12, the report recommends a staged implementation plan, which once implemented will result in 15 racetracks forming part of the NSW racing footprint.
“Greyhound Racing NSW has been in contact with all of the clubs which will be impacted by the optimisation recommendations,” GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said. “We have spoken at length about the process and why their respective clubs sit where they are in the optimisation recommendations.”
The optimal footprint is based on supporting the current number of race meetings held across the State and ensuring that each of the regions has at least one track to support the demand in that region.
The first tranche of implementation will see all of the State’s Non-TAB tracks at Coonamble, Kempsey, Moree, Potts Park, Tamworth, Wauchope, and Young close by the end of 2025. There is an opportunity for each to become a trial track if desired by the club.
Many of these clubs have either already closed, merged or transitioned to trial tracks.
Lithgow, which has been a Non-TAB club, will be upgraded in 2026 and be part of the footprint of 15 clubs.
The second tranche, to be completed by June 30, 2026, will see three TAB clubs close - Broken Hill, Maitland and Wagga Wagga.
With the recent end of racing at Dapto, this will bring the number of TAB tracks to 15.
Deloitte’s report suggested a potential third tranche, closing three further tracks, however recommended that GRNSW monitor the performance of all tracks in the network and the demand for racing, to ensure the number of tracks supports the financial viability and sustainability of the industry.
GRNSW has today shared the report with the respective clubs which will be impacted and have sought feedback.
“As everyone can see from the Deloitte report, which we have made public on our website, it is a comprehensive body of work, and it had to be if we are to embark on such a monumental change to our industry,” Mr Griffin said.
“We thank Deloitte for their efforts and work. While this was never going to be an easy task, they ensured that as an industry we can make accurate and measured evidence-based decisions, for the future betterment of the industry in NSW.”
GRNSW is currently awaiting a response from the Government in relation to its request for an extension to the lease at Wentworth Park. Once the Government’s intention is known, a decision regarding the future of metropolitan racing will be made.
Should GRNSW decide to implement the Deloitte report’s recommendations, those clubs impacted can still remain a part of the sport and become trial tracks, and this will be part of the feedback being sought from those individual clubs.
“It’s never easy having to make decisions such as this. However, for the future of the industry, everyone unanimously agreed at our Industry Future Summit that we have too many racetracks in NSW and we need optimisation, and the Deloitte report confirmed this,” Mr Griffin said.
“With optimisation we will be able to lower costs and maximise returns and profits to participants and clubs. Optimisation will allow clubs to be autonomous and financially independent, as well as allowing clubs to realise the non-racing potential of their capital assets.”
