To coincide with the centenary of the sport in NSW, Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has announced its track upgrade program for 2026-27, the most substantial track infrastructure upgrade in more than 40 years.
The announcement comes following the approval last week by the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) of the 2026 Minimum Track Standards (MTS) which establish the technical and physical requirements that all tracks in NSW must meet and are foundational to ensure the welfare of racing greyhounds and the safety of participants across the industry.
The revised and updated MTS is a significant enhancement to the 2020 version and was the subject of an extensive and rigorous review process, conducted jointly between GRNSW and the GWIC with the assistance of independent technical experts.
GRNSW has until June 30, 2027 to have all of its racetracks compliant to these newly developed standards, which will coincidentally align with the sport celebrating 100 years of racing in NSW in May next year.
Not only will racetracks be upgraded to the new standard which will again reduce serious injuries and provide safer racing, but in many instances club amenities will also be updated to a superior level.
The Taree racetrack is MTS compliant and will be joined as fully compliant by Grafton later this month when the installation of a safety rail is complete.
Track upgrades are currently underway at Dubbo, while works will commence shortly at Gosford and The Gardens. Work is also planned this year for the Richmond Straight track and Temora with the goal to ensure that NSW has eight tracks upgraded to MTS standards by the end of 2026.
The largest and most significant of those track and facility upgrades is rapidly approaching completion at Lithgow.
The track is scheduled for an opening in November this year after significant work has been done over the past six months.
The new track itself has been completed, with a new rail system, including a SafeChase rail and lure, the kennel block and public amenities will be refurbished, the venue will have new lighting towers which will provide broadcast-standard lighting averaging 900 lux, and also a new modular design tower, which will be used by the judge, stewards and for broadcasters.
"While it is an obligation under the Ministerial Operating Licence that all of our tracks are up to MTS by next year, the work which GRNSW is conducting is about safer racing, better welfare for our greyhounds and presenting a better product and experience for those attending our venues," GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said.
"Obviously the major works are taking place at Lithgow and progressing very well and on schedule for completion in September with the plan to commence trialling soon after and start racing in early November.
"But while other tracks may not need as much work to upgrade, and some in fact require only minor upgrades, we will ensure that every one of our tracks is compliant to the new MTS, as required, by June 30, 2027.
"It is a significant year next year for the sport in NSW celebrating 100 years since that night back in May 1927 when the first mechanical lure, race meeting was held on the site that became Harold Park.
"We will have a lot to celebrate and it will be a huge positive that we will celebrate on our tracks which will be compliant to MTS and the safest in the Country."
GRNSW is continuing to explore options for a new Sydney Metropolitan Racing venue in Western Sydney to be the sport's new spiritual home once it exits Wentworth Park.
"We hope to be in a position to share with participants where our new Sydney Metropolitan Racing venue will be, and what it will look like, by the end of this year," Mr Griffin said.
"Our completion of this major upgrade to the sport's infrastructure, a new state of the art track opening at Lithgow later this and plans for a new Sydney Metropolitan Racing precinct being progressed clearly shows that our sport is on the right path to long-term sustainability and financial success."
