Greyhound ban: Coonamble town’s carnival would be killed off by Baird’s action

THE greyhound industry injects $1.6m into the sleepy bush town of Coonamble every year. Mike Baird’s greyhound ban could effectively end the livelihood of local pubs, hotels and business owners.

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EVERY year for one October weekend the sleepy bush town of Coonamble comes alive.

People from all over Australia descend on the northwest NSW community — which is about 500km from Sydney and boasts a population of just 3000. Its greyhound carnival, the biggest non-TAB meet for the sport in Australia, injects $1.6 million into the local economy. The hotels are booked out a year in advance.

And the event generates about half the annual income for the Coonamble Bowling Club.

Premier Mike Baird’s greyhound ban will end all of that.

Coonamble locals stand on their the Greyhound track opposing Mike Baird's decision to ban racing Picture: Dylan Robinson

Annette Chapman from Coonamble Bowling Club. Picture: Dylan Robinson

“We are a small country town and this is one of the things that puts us on the map,” bowling club manager Tessa Pennell said.

A report from the shire found the town will lose $1.88 million and seven jobs due to the ban.

The Commercial Hotel ‘s Gary Wooding said closing the greyhound industry would affect 20 per cent of his annual income.

“We have a group of 40 guests who have been staying here for 15 years and the two weeks they stay here justifies the installation of TAB — otherwise it wouldn’t pay for itself,” Mr Wooding said.

Coonamble's James Doolan with greyhound Lottie and Coonamble Greyhound Racing president Graham Pickering with Beryl. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Steve Butler of Swanny's Frozen Foods and Commercial Hotel barman Bradley Wright will both be effected by the ban. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Another affected business is Joe Bellgardt’s Joe’s Quality Meats. He said the weekend event was worth about $4000 to his business.

Coonamble Greyhound Racing Club president Graham Pickering said the club’s events injected big money into the town.

But, the carnival will be unlikely to survive even if Baird’s ban is beaten in the courts.

Greyhound Racing NSW has previously indicated it envisaged closing down all non-TAB racing across the state if the sport was allowed to continue.