Queensland Greyhound Racing To Receive Fairer Consideration From Racing Queensland
Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) today confirmed it would immediately begin talks with greyhound stakeholders in an effort to progress new greyhound racing infrastructure.
RQL chairman Bob Bentley said private harness racing interests have to date held back the greyhound industry from building a new home away from Albion Park.
“The crippling delay to the greyhound industry is no longer tolerable,” said Mr Bentley.
“The greyhound industry owned half of Albion Park before it became an RQL asset and greyhound stakeholders have been unfairly caught up in legal proceedings initiated by another racing code.
“RQL will immediately start discussions with greyhound stakeholders to seek their views on greyhound racing and training infrastructure in South-East Queensland.
“We need urgent input from the greyhound industry in South-East Queensland so we can locate the best site and get on with building this much needed infrastructure.”
Mr Bentley said he would prepare a report in the coming weeks for consideration by the State Government, which will include the feasibility of any preferred alternate site as well as the views of greyhound racing stakeholders.
“Queensland Racing Minister Tim Mulherin is very supportive of breaking this stalemate and making sure the greyhound industry in South-East Queensland gets a new facility,” he said.
“The final decision for greyhounds is likely to have an impact on the proposed development at Deagon and as a consequence the distribution of funds under the Government's $110 million Industry Infrastructure Plan.
“It remains the direction of RQL to develop Deagon into a first class harness racing facility, subject to Supreme Court action.”
Mr Bentley said it is in the best interests of the industry to realise the potential long term earning capacity of developing Albion Park to reinvest the reoccurring income into other facility upgrades and prizemoney for all codes.