Source : ABC NEWS
It is the end of an era for the iconic Dapto Dogs as the local show society prepares to wrap up racing at the venue by the end of June next year.
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) chief executive officer Steve Griffin said it was an unfortunate decision.
“After 88 years of racing we’ll be concluding racing at Dapto from June next year after the agricultural society has advised us that they won’t be extending our lease,”
he said.
“Very sad for the industry and for us. We are a little bit shocked and surprised. We had hoped that we were going to get a 20-year extension but the society has decided to go in another direction.”
Greyhound Racing NSW chief executive officer Steve Griffin. (Supplied: GRNSW)
GRNSW had been in negotiations Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society for some time over rent and facility upgrades, including relocating the kennel block to the western part of the precinct.
Mr Griffin had visited the site just last week to inspect the proposed areas.
“We respect their decision. They own the land and need to make the best of the precinct,”
Mr Griffin said.
The news was shared with GRNSW on Friday night.
End of an era
Racing started at the track on February 25, 1937.
Mr Griffin said people will be “grieving for the loss of the icon from the sport”.
“Obviously there will be some people who will be hurting because this has been their home track for their lifetime and probably their forbearers before them.
The “world famous” Dapto Dogs will close next year, ending 88 years of racing at the venue. (ABC News: Billy Cooper)
“It’s iconic and synonymous with greyhound racing and has a well-recognised brand across sporting codes in Australia. It is even recognised overseas.“
Close to 100 trainers trial their dogs at the track each week.
Two full time and four part time staff will be offered opportunities at the Bulli and Nowra tracks.
GRNSW has a parcel of land at nearby Bong Bong Road and will continue to explore opportunities — but it would involve significant work to determine if it would be suitable for a straight track.
Shellharbour state MP Anna Watson said the decision was sad but she is glad it was not acrimonious.
“It is a big parcel of land. It is community. It presents a great opportunity to see what comes from the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society in the future,” she said.
Ms Watson said she looked forward to seeing how GRNSW progressed the Bong Bong Road site.
The Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society said in a statement that the request for a 20-year lease “presented a fundamental barrier to the society’s ability to meet the evolving needs of the broader community”.
It said the decision was not about “forcing greyhound racing out”, but greyhound racing had been granted several extensions in recent years “further reinforcing the need for a defined transition timeline”.
“We are open to discussing a short-term agreement if that would assist GRNSW in its transition planning,” the statement said.
“If no, the society will continue working towards the conclusion of greyhound racing operations at the site by the end of June 2026.”
