Traralgon is a step closer to the return of its much-loved greyhound racing program thanks to funding from the Victorian Government towards a new U-shape track.
Victorian Minister for Racing Martin Pakula was at Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club to confirm the Victorian Government’s election commitment to provide $1 million for upgrades to the Traralgon and Cranbourne tracks.
In November 2018, Greyhound Racing Victoria in conjunction with the Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club closed the Traralgon track after an investigation identified that drainage issues had permanently compromised the track.
The new U-shape track will provide a more reliable racing surface.
The GRV board signed off on the proposed track, which was designed by David Allan Consulting with input from Professor David Eager and a team at the University of Technology Sydney, working with the Traralgon GRC and GRV.
The U-shaped track was overwhelmingly favoured during a public consultation process in July 2019. The track is expected to open in the middle of 2020 as a leading greyhound venue created with safe racing at front of mind.
The new track will feature 450m and 500m starting boxes, modern barriers and a surface that will help reduce injury to greyhounds.
The greyhound racing industry in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland region generates $50 million for the local economy and helps sustain more than 425 full-time equivalent jobs in the region.
Victorian greyhound racing generates more than $500 million for the state’s economy each year.
Source: Vic Government