Steve Griffin pushes for urgent decision on Wentworth Park
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) CEO Steve Griffin has made it clear that resolving the future of Wentworth Park is a top priority as he takes charge of the industry.
With the venue’s lease set to expire in September 2027, Griffin is pushing for an urgent decision from the government to provide certainty for participants and the sport’s long-term future.
“The industry’s preference is to stay,” Griffin said.
“But if that’s not achievable, then we need to rip the band-aid off and start working through alternative options for metropolitan greyhound racing in NSW. As an industry, we can’t afford for this to drag out past this year. We need an answer.”
GRNSW previously submitted an unsolicited proposal to the government to revamp the Wentworth Park precinct into a multi-use public and sporting facility, ensuring the track remained a key part of the city’s racing landscape.
However, the plan faced strong opposition from Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who urged local residents to push back against the idea.
While the government has acknowledged the need for greater community activation of the space, no definitive decision has been made, leaving GRNSW in limbo.
Griffin emphasised that without a clear direction, the industry cannot effectively plan for the future.
“For the industry to be sustainable and thrive, we need rationalisation of our racetracks, and this is step one,” Griffin said.
“We need to reduce our cost base while at the same time increasing revenue, and to do that, we need to make better use of the infrastructure and facilities we have at our disposal.”
The uncertainty surrounding Wentworth Park is part of a broader track optimisation strategy that GRNSW is developing.
The organisation plans to engage a third party to oversee the process, ensuring full transparency with clubs and participants.
As part of this broader strategy, Griffin is also championing the expansion of straight-track racing, emphasising its safety benefits and wagering potential.
The initiative includes introducing ten-dog straight track races under lights, which Griffin sees as a key differentiator for NSW greyhound racing.
Griffin has assured stakeholders that a comprehensive blueprint will be released in the coming months, outlining GRNSW’s future racing footprint and infrastructure plans.
Until then, the industry remains on edge, awaiting a definitive answer on the fate of its most iconic track.