The Goulburn Greyhound Racing Track has been booked for a serious facelift, following the announcement that a straight track is set for construction later this year.
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The news was confirmed by Goulburn Greyhound Racing Club secretary, Pat Day, who said it represented the culmination of roughly four years of work.
"It's part of the Greyhound Racing NSW strategic plan to improve greyhound welfare and racing outcomes," Day said.
"Straight track racing is great from an animal welfare perspective, as there are fewer injuries. We're excited that Goulburn has been picked to be the first sand straight track in NSW. We hope we can work with the users of the recreation area, mainly the Goulburn Harness Racing Club and the Goulburn Show Society to make it happen."
Those three groups have agreed to form a working party, which will map out a plan for the new-look precinct.
Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, said the state government had invested $30 million to upgrade tracks across NSW, and Goulburn is set to benefit "enormously" from that investment.
"There is a fantastic future for greyhound racing in NSW, and in Goulburn that future is a straight track," Mr Anderson said.
"The NSW Government is currently investing $30 million to upgrade tracks right across the state to meet stringent new minimum safety standards and drive down injury rates in the sport.
"$11 million of this has been allocated for track safety upgrades across Southern NSW and the Riverina, and Goulburn will benefit enormously from that bucket with a significant investment towards the establishment of a straight track.
"The comprehensive greyhound welfare reforms we have brought in over the past few years have had a real impact in driving down injury rates in the sport, and the next big step is the introduction of more straight track training and racing."
Mr Anderson also commended Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman, for her "fierce advocacy" in favour of the upgrades.
The straight track was one of two major greyhound-related announcements for Goulburn, the other being the committment to building a Centre of Excellence in town.
The Centre of Excellence will include the straight track, along with a specialised veterinary clinic and a rehabilitation centre for retired dogs.
The straight track will be the first aspect of the Centre of Excellence to be developed, and Day said the club expects construction to take "three or four months", with an eye towards beginning the project in spring.
Day said the club is looking at plans to build the straight track in conjunction with new lighting for its circular track.
"We'll be the first of the three racing codes in Goulburn to conduct night racing, which will change the dynamic of racing here," Day said.
The Centre of Excellence being located in Goulburn will not only benefit the greyhounds who race in town, but locals as well, Day said.
"The rehoming project and welfare initiatives would hopefully employ about 14 full-time locals as well, so this is good for Goulburn and the region," he said.
Following the cessation of greyhound racing in a number of former hubs - including Canberra, Queanbeyan, and Moss Vale - Goulburn has become a centre for the sport in the region.
"So out of those tracks, Goulburn is now a very important venue within the southern region of NSW and Canberra," Day said.
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