Upper Hunter: Former horse stud facility ‘Bylong Park’ set to be transformed into world class greyhound ‘farm stay’

The facilities read like those found in a luxury hotel, but should this development in the Upper Hunter get the tick of approval, it will be our four-legged friends who will be living the high life at this Australian-first centre.

Injured and retired greyhounds across the state will be able to rehabilitate or live their life out in comfort in a world-class multi-million dollar home in the Upper Hunter.

A development application is currently with the Joint Region Planning Panel (JRPP) for a $33 million Australian first greyhound “farm stay” to house and care for up to 400 retired racing greyhounds at Martindale, south of Denman.

The proposal, which is within the Muswellbrook Council Shire, involves the development and transformation of part of former horse stud ‘Bylong Park’ to a boarding kennel and training facility.

It will be a critical part of Greyhound Racing NSW’s ‘Greyhounds as Pets’ initiative designed to ensure all greyhounds have quality care and homing for their lifetime.

Greyhounds will be able to retire at the new proposed development.

The greyhound rehabilitation centre will be managed by veterinary professionals and animal behaviour experts, and will provide a pathway through to the Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) rehoming program.

For any greyhounds deemed unsuitable for pet life, they’ll still remain at the facility and live comfortably for the rest of their natural lives, as their welfare is regularly monitored.

Greyhound Racing NSW CEO Tony Mestrov said it is the first racing jurisdiction of any code, anywhere in the world, to develop and operate such a centre.

“The new facility will provide rehabilitation, ongoing veterinary assistance and general care for greyhounds injured during racing, which is intended to assist meeting targets for zero unnecessary euthanasia,” Mr Mestrov said.

“We expect that retired greyhounds will spend around six to eight weeks at the facility undergoing training, receiving veterinary care and behaviour coaching before they are ready for the unstructured and busy life of being a family pet, but there will be no time limit on their stay.

Bylong Park will offer greyhounds a lifelong home.

“For any greyhounds unable to transition to life as a pet, Bylong Park will offer them a lifelong home.”

The facility will feature a specially designed veterinary clinic, 20 kennel complexes each housing 20 dogs, an outdoor yard and social play space, an indoor area with heated flooring and cooling, sensory gardens and landscaped grounds with water features.

The kennel complexes will be built into an L-shaped curved wall, designed to reduce, if not eliminate, the sound of barking to consider any potential impacts on neighbours and the community.

Once operational, it will employ the equivalent of 24 full time staff and volunteers, as well as provide regular contract work for a local veterinarian clinic who will access the property to look after the dogs.

Greyhounds will be able to live their life out at the proposed development.

“Bylong Park will rely heavily on the provision of local goods and services for its day-to-day operations,” Mr Mestrov said.

“The greyhound farm-stay facility will be managed by veterinary professionals and animal behaviour experts, providing a way to transform racing dogs into family pets in one centralised location.”

A environmental impact statement on the proposal states the benefits provided by the proposed development would outweigh any potential impacts and is considered “in the public interest”.

“The proposal will deliver a suitable and appropriate development and is worthy of approval,” the document stated.

It’s currently under assessment by the JRPP.