Sydney greyhound track faces bulldozer for thousands of new homes

One of Sydney's most valuable inner-city sites faces an uncertain future as the government weighs up thousands of new houses against preserving a 90-year dog-racing tradition.

Greyhounds have been racing at Wentworth Park since the early 1930s.

One of Sydney’s oldest greyhound racing tracks could be turned into community sporting fields to allow thousands of new homes near the site.

The Saturday Telegraph has been told the Minns government is looking at two proposals for the historic Wentworth Park precinct, with the other option a short lease extension for the track.

Greyhounds have been racing at Wentworth Park since the early 1930s, with popularity peaking in the 1970s when crowds were so large a grandstand was built.

However, rising costs have been attributed to the Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) offering financial incentives to trainers of a free dinner and up to $100 per dog to combat tolls and fuel costs of racing at the track.

It is understood converting the track into sporting fields would pave the way for thousands of new homes to be built around Glebe and Ultimo.

Jorja-Louise Howard with Kissy, and Rachel Bessis with Molly at Wentworth Park, in Glebe. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Should the government proceed with the redevelopment option, it is understood it would deliver multimillion-dollar upgrades to other greyhound tracks across the state.

The government has been under pressure to identify new housing sites since plans for 25,000 new homes at Rosehill Racecourse fell over.

Critics say the 13ha Wentworth Park is being under-utilised. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

While no equivalent “plan B” has been announced, the government has been rolling out smaller housing proposals across Sydney, such as 15,000 homes for Burwood North and 10,000 homes around a new Woollahra station.

Urban Taskforce chief executive officer Tom Forrest said the 13ha Wentworth Park site was ripe for redevelopment, declaring it one of Sydney’s last relics.

He estimated the surrounding areas could accommodate “thousands” of new homes, which he envisaged would range between “10 to 15 storeys” – “not high-rise as I don’t think that’s realistic” – while the track itself was prime for conversion into open space.

“Society has changed and that site hasn’t,” Mr Forrest said.

“The area used to be full of social housing tenants who used to go to the working man’s version of horse racing where they enjoyed a beer and a punt, but society has changed.

“It’s no longer the best use of such valuable land.

“It seems bizarre that such a wide open expanse of land is so significantly under-utilised.

“It’s the last standing anomaly in the area.”

Committee for Sydney chief executive officer Eamon Waterford said the inner-city area of Sydney could accommodate greater density if it was “done well”.

“The site presents a wonderful opportunity,” he said.

“My understanding is the track is not well suited to the greyhound industry’s needs. They want a straighter track.”

As for housing, “the inner city area of Sydney is exactly where we should be having a conversation about greater density – more homes, more amenity, more sporting fields, right next to a metro station and world-class fish markets with a light rail right on its doorstep.”

Popularity for greyhound racing at Wentworth Park peaked in the 1970s. Picture: Getty Images

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has also been working on plans to bulldoze the track to make way for an “urban oasis”, although this does not include any new housing.

The additional homes is in addition to several thousand planned for the Pyrmont area.

A spokesman for Lands and Property Minister Steve Kamper said the government was “investigating all options” and is “expected to make a decision by the end of the year”.

Originally published as Sydney greyhound track faces bulldozer for thousands of new homes