Bundaberg greyhound ‘death track’ to be replaced with new sand surface

The days of Bundaberg’s trouble-plagued greyhound ‘death track’ are no more, but the price of delivering the long called for new track is not yet clear.

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett and Racing Minister Tim Mander announced the greyhound track will be replaced with a new sand surface.

The days of Bundaberg’s trouble-plagued greyhound “death track” are no more with the state government stepping in to ensure the multimillion-dollar industry gets back on its feet.

The Bundaberg club has been unable to host meets since September 2024 after the surface was deemed unfit for racing, leaving local participants and trainers without a home venue.

A recent $1.4 million upgrade to the track failed to deliver with the course deemed unsafe due to high injury rates and prompting widespread criticism — including from animal welfare advocates who labelled it a “death track.” 

Racing was finally suspended at Bundaberg’s two-turn grass track after Racing Queensland raised serious safety concerns.

A meeting between club officials, trainers and Racing Queensland on Monday resulted in a unanimous vote to convert the existing grass track to sand.

The days of Bundaberg’s trouble-plagued greyhound “death track” are no more with the state government stepping in to ensure the multimillion-dollar industry gets back on its feet.

The cost to deliver the sand track was not announced in the government’s media statement Tuesday.

Greyhound racing generates $9.6m annually for the Wide Bay-Burnett economy and supports nearly 450 jobs in the region, the statement said.
The new track is expected to boost local employment, provide a safer and more consistent surface for racing, and ensure the continued success of events like the historic Bundaberg Cup.

Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander said Bundaberg’s racing industry had been left in limbo following the track’s closure.

“The replacement of the track will ensure a more consistent racing surface, which has advantages for both safety and track maintenance.

“We are currently delivering the most comprehensive review of the industry in more than 25 years as we look to continue supporting the long-term success of racing right across Queensland.”

The Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club has been a fixture in the region for almost 50 years.
Established in 1977, it has traditionally held Monday afternoon meets at its Thabeban St facility and has long served as a key venue for regional greyhound racing in Queensland.

Racing Minister Tim Mander discusses the future of the greyhound track, which will soon be replaced with a safer sand surface for improved racing conditions. Picture David Clark

Club president and long-time trainer Ricky Hassall welcomed Tuesday’s announcement.

“Our club was promised a new sand track in 2023 and I want to thank Minister Mander and the Crisafulli Government for correcting that broken promise,” Mr Hassall said.

“Bundaberg is such an important piece in our industry’s puzzle and services participants right across the state, so it is a relief to know we will continue to race here into the future. ”