A greyhound racing track that has stood in Sydney’s Inner West for almost a century will be demolished to make room for thousands of homes and community sporting grounds.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced today that the Wentworth Park area, which includes the eponymous greyhound racing track, will become the site of 7300 new homes and green spaces.
The track itself will be demolished when the racing licence of the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) for the site runs out in late 2027, with the land to be returned to the City of Sydney and converted into sports grounds.
Concept art of the new-look Wentworth Park. (City of Sydney)
“We recognise Wentworth Park holds deep history and meaning for many people, and we know some will be disappointed by this change,” Minns said.
“But cities change and we have a responsibility to plan for the future.”
The 3.3-hectare Wentworth Park Sporting Complex precinct will be converted into more sports fields and public green space.
The greyhound track will be demolished. (Janie Barrett)
This will allow for rezoning of the surrounding area the government said would in turn allow for 2500 extra homes.
These will be in addition to the 4800 homes already planned or approved nearby, including 2000 at the old Sydney Fish Market site.
In total, the government’s current plan for the area involves 7300 new homes.
The track currently hosts 102 race meets a year. (Janie Barrett)
Mirvac has been tapped as the preferred tenderer for the former Fish Market site, with the company to begin building 1400 homes, including 580 student housing units, by early 2027 if planning is approved.
The government has also committed to supporting the transfer of greyhound racing to other tracks, to the tune of a $10 million allocation to the Greyhound Capital Grants Program for track upgrades.
According to GBOTA, the Wentworth Park grounds currently host 102 race meetings a year.
Premier Chris Minns. (Sitthixay Ditthavong)
“The transition of the Wentworth Park Sporting Complex site to new, enhanced open space and community recreation uses is an exciting new chapter that marks the end of an era for inner city greyhound racing that has taken place there since 1932,” Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris said.
“The NSW Government continues to support a competitive, responsible and sustainable greyhound racing industry with the highest standards of animal welfare and integrity that balances tradition with community expectations.
“Greyhound racing is a valuable contributor to regional communities supporting thousands of jobs.”
