UPDATE: A crucial deadline is looming for the proposed $15 million greyhound track in Orange, as the Greyhound Breeders Owners & Trainers Association (GBOTA) seeks an urgent extension. The lobby group, which acquired the land from Orange City Council in early 2024, has confirmed it will not meet the October 25, 2024 deadline for submitting a development application (DA), potentially risking the project’s future.
GBOTA CEO Dan Weizman announced that the group aims to secure a 12-month extension during an upcoming council meeting on October 7, 2024. If granted, this would add to the initial 18-month period for finalizing necessary documentation. The request stems from recent changes to bushfire regulations that classify the development area as bushfire prone land, complicating compliance with safety standards.
A letter from the Sydney law firm Pryor Tzannes and Wallis, representing GBOTA, outlined the significant implications of the new bushfire mapping adopted by the council on November 21, 2024. The identification of the area as bushfire prone requires the establishment of an asset protection zone (APZ), which currently poses challenges for the proposed facility. The planned 36-meter APZ cannot fit entirely within the site’s boundaries, raising concerns about the safety of the greyhound club building.
“We know the local community is eager to see this project realized, and the GBOTA shares in that enthusiasm,” the letter stated. The association is committed to delivering a facility that will serve as a Centre of Excellence for Greyhound Racing in New South Wales. However, extensive documentation is still pending, with at least 17 different documents required for the DA to proceed.
Public opinion on the greyhound track is divided, with a recent poll indicating 55% of respondents against the project, while 45% support it. Council director Scott Maunder emphasized that there remains a “significant amount of work” to be done, estimating that the completion of necessary documents could take up to 12 months.
As the council prepares to vote on the extension request, the future of the greyhound track remains uncertain. The decision will be crucial not only for GBOTA but also for the community of Orange, who await the outcome of this high-stakes situation. Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
