Sydney's Wentworth Park Greyhound Racing to End Early for Public Space Conversion

Greyhound racing at Sydney's Wentworth Park will come to an end earlier than expected, allowing the NSW government to fast-track plans to transform the site into public open space.

While the Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association had previously sought an extension of its lease beyond September 2027, the government said it had now agreed to an earlier exit from the site.

The final race meeting is scheduled for October this year and will feature the Million Dollar Chase, marking the end of almost a century of greyhound racing at Wentworth Park.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said greyhound racing would continue at other tracks across the state from November.

"This will allow the early termination of the license, allowing the transition of greyhound racing to other venues and the restoration of public space at Wentworth Park," Mr Scully said.

The government said the early closure would allow planning and preparation works to begin sooner, with the former 3.9-hectare racing site to be converted into community sporting facilities and parkland.

Providing Wentworth Park with a 'backyard'

The government announced last year that the inner-city track would be transformed into green space to support thousands of new homes in surrounding areas, including the broader Blackwattle Bay and inner Sydney precincts.

Mr Scully said the transformation would provide much-needed open space for a growing population.

"With more homes coming in and around Wentworth Park, it was important that we've got the open space, the community sporting fields and the like to support those people, essentially providing them with a backyard," Mr Scully said.

The City of Sydney Council, which is expected to take over the site, released images of its plans in late last year, including plans for sporting fields, walking paths and community facilities.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore welcomed the agreement, saying it would allow the city to begin work on long-awaited plans for the area.

Cr Moore told 702 ABC Sydney the space was vital to supporting one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in the country.

"They're planning about 23,000 to 27,000 jobs and 4,500 to 4,800 homes; so it's an absolute necessity that Wentworth Park is available for essential open space for those people living in such high densities," she said.

"The thinking is that it can handle more [housing], but it could only do that if it had areas like Wentworth Park for people to be able to get some healthy air."

Industry transition

Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) CEO Steve Griffin denied "sustained criticism of animal cruelty" and "the sustainability of the industry" were behind the early exit.

"This is the start of a new era for greyhound racing in NSW and it was time for us to move on to create the next chapter for the sport," he said in a statement.

"The venue no longer suited our participants who are largely located outside the Sydney basin."

He said the final night of racing at Wentworth Park would be "the biggest night to remember for all in our sport."

The government said the agreement would also give the greyhound racing industry time to move operations to other venues across the state.

Mr Scully said support would be provided to help upgrade other tracks and ensure they meet industry standards.

"The government will continue to work with the greyhound industry to support that transition … to other tracks," Mr Scully said.

The closure of Wentworth Park has been debated for years, with greyhound racing supporters arguing the venue remains an important part of the industry.

Critics have long argued the valuable inner-city land could be better used, while raising concerns about animal cruelty and the industry's financial viability.

Mr Scully said the agreement with the Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association balanced the future needs of the community with support for the industry.

"This provides an opportunity for us to bring forward the end of greyhound racing at Wentworth Park while allowing a smooth transition," he said.

The final meeting in October will mark 94 years of racing at the venue, which first hosted races in 1932.