NSW Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission claim success despite pandemic challenges
Chief Commissioner, Alan Brown AM, said GWIC's 2020/21 Annual Report highlights a number of achievements in the regulatory space that have contributed to the greyhound racing industry financial success and welfare improvements last year.
“As a small, start-up agency, we have worked hard to implement new systems and processes over the last couple of years, allowing the Government and the industry to identify and understand data that has not previously been reported,” Chief Commissioner Brown said.
“The Annual Report also highlights a 42% reduction in catastrophic race-day injuries since GWIC was established (2017/18), as well as 73% fewer medical euthanasias.”
“The reports set out the work done by the Commission confirming the total number of greyhounds registered within the NSW greyhound racing industry, which we now know is 23 180, made up of 48% racing, 16% pre-racing and 36% post-racing greyhounds.”
“Having this information allows GWIC to better manage the tracking and monitoring of greyhounds, which is key to both the welfare of greyhounds and the integrity of the sport.”
Current and reliable data is also fundamental to GWIC's new eTracking program which is currently under development and due for launch in mid next year.
“GWIC is making great strides in the e-tracking space, thanks to a $3.6 million grant from the NSW Government, which will further increase our capacity to track and monitor greyhounds,” Commissioner Brown said.
“While delayed due to the COVID lockdown, this project is now well under way and we are looking forward to the introduction of eTracking, a world-first initiative that will ensure the location of all registered greyhounds in NSW can be accounted for at all times, and to further improve regulatory efficiencies across the industry.”
“Finally, I want to acknowledge and thank Commission staff for their outstanding efforts in continuing to officiate at all race meetings and supporting the greyhound racing industry throughout the pandemic.”
“As a result of their efforts the industry has achieved its highest revenue returns in its history”, Commissioner Brown said.