Planning Minister endorses $40m Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre at Ipswich

Despite more than 68,000 people signing a petition to have a proposed $40 million Ipswich greyhound racing complex axed, the project has taken another major step towards construction.

The proposed development of a controversial $40 million greyhound racing complex at Ipswich has taken a significant step forward, with Racing Queensland recently receiving endorsement from the state’s Planning Minister.

More than 68,000 people have expressed their disapproval of the Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre since the Queensland government first announced it in 2019, with petitioners calling it a “retrograde step for the future of greyhounds”.

Meanwhile, the state government said it expects the complex will contribute millions of dollars to Brisbane and Ipswich’s annual economies, create more than 1000 jobs during and after construction, support about 1100 full-time roles in both cities, and meet the “highest standards” of animal care.

If built, the centre will form a new entity with memberships from both the Brisbane and Ipswich Greyhound Racing Clubs.

An artist’s impression of the greyhound racing complex proposed for Purga, Ipswich.

The $39.15 million allocated to the purchase of land and the development of the venue at Purga will come from the Racing Infrastructure Fund — a state government funding program for the racing industry delivered in partnership with Racing Queensland.

As at December 21, 2021, the proposal has moved through the first three stages of the ministerial infrastructure designation process.

An overview of the concept plan for the complex has been made available to the public and Planning Minister Steven Miles has endorsed and received a refined version of Racing Queensland’s proposal.

Members of the public can also now access updated information about the project’s plans to “set new standards for the greyhound racing industry” with regard to animal care.

The new Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre is expected to cost the state government $40 million to construct and support hundreds of jobs.

According to Racing Queensland’s proposal, the Ipswich complex would be one of the only centres in the world with a straight track, a one-turn track, and a two-turn track designed to reduce injuries and suit the size, age, running gate, and athletic abilities of different greyhounds.

Safe movement corridors, cool-down areas with plunge pools, airconditioned race-day kennels, and a veterinary clinic have also been proposed for the centre.

Petition organiser Tara Fritz provided an update in late November last year to the 68,468 people who registered their opposition to the complex, referring specifically to the animal care the project claimed is “at the centre of its design and construction”.

“They boast state-of-the-art racetracks, kennel inspections from an independent oversight committee, and a zero-tolerance policy for animal cruelty,” Ms Fritz wrote.

“However, can an industry that supports overbreeding and oversupply of greyhounds, the euthanisation of unwanted, healthy animals, the high rate of injuries experienced by racing greyhounds, the lack of essential socialisation and environmental enrichment, the lack of industry transparency and accountability, and the exportation of greyhounds to other countries, really be a cruelty free industry?”

Animal Liberation Queensland staged a rally in February 2020 where people raised concerns about the proposed facility at Ipswich. Picture: AAP Image/Attila Csaszar

Now that the Minister has endorsed Racing Queensland seeking a ministerial infrastructure designation, he will engage relevant state government agencies and departments for their input and the public will be invited to submit their feedback.

All submissions and state agency comments will then be considered and included in Racing Queensland’s final report to the Minister who will make a final determination.

At this stage, the project is expected to be completed in 2024.