Dapto dogs gone as GRNSW refuses to budge on lease terms

The Dapto Agricultural & Horticultural Society, which runs Dapto greyhound racing at the Dapto showgrounds, has announced that dog racing at the Illawarra venue will cease almost immediately.

Speaking to a local media outlet, Dapto Agricultural & Horticultural Society chairperson Noel Leslie said the announcement was made with a “heavy heart”, but the decision comes after a breakdown in negotiations between his body and Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) over lease terms.

The society's racing registration expired last Thursday.

“The community has entrusted us with doing the right thing with their land and their assets … and sustaining an activity at the expense of developing new community infrastructure is a decision that can't be justified,” Mr Leslie said.

“We have a heavy heart that this iconic greyhound track has closed, but the board has an obligation to act in the best interests of the society and the community. We are looking at delivering new opportunities for our community and the generations to come.”

GRNSW has made no comment about the decision, but track rationalisation is among several key objectives the NSW greyhound racing is thought to be pursuing in the state.