Arabic version: تمت الموافقة على منشأة جديدة لسباق الكلاب السلوقية في أورانج، نيو ساوث ويلز
The Western Regional Planning Panel (WRPP) has approved the Orange greyhound racing facility in Orange, New South Wales, despite significant community opposition. This decision, made on Tuesday, allows for the redevelopment of the former Orange Harness Racing track into a greyhound racing venue, which has been unused for over a decade. The $15 million development application received unanimous approval from the panel, as reported by ABC News.
Opponents of the project, including former Greens councillor Neil Jones, expressed concerns regarding animal welfare and the potential for increased gambling harms. Jones, who heads the Community Before Greyhound Tracks group, highlighted a petition that gathered more than 1,100 signatures urging the council to reject the proposal. He described the panel’s decision as disappointing and not in the public interest.
The approved plans include a small clubhouse, seating for up to 64 people, 112 race day holding kennels, and a soccer field situated in the middle of the track. However, the Orange City Council had previously voted to oppose the development application just days before the panel’s decision. Mayor Tony Mileto indicated that the project did not meet community expectations for a state-of-the-art facility.
While the Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) claims the facility will rejuvenate the area and contribute $19 million annually to the local economy, critics argue that the land is better suited for affordable housing, especially given the ongoing housing shortage in Orange. Jones emphasized that the 16-hectare site could serve as a valuable resource for residential development instead of being allocated to a sport facing decline.
The WRPP acknowledged the concerns regarding greyhound welfare and gambling impacts but stated that these issues were outside the scope of their legislative considerations for the development application. Despite the approval, the project’s future hinges on GBOTA securing a builder and commencing construction within two years, as mandated by the council at the time of land sale.
