DETERMINATION ON FUTURE FOR CAIRNS AND MACKAY GREYHOUND CLUB

TOWNSVILLE CLUB APPROVED OF TUESDAY NIGHT TAB RACING

CAIRNS RACING TO RECEIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION
____________________________________________________________________________

Yesterday, the Greyhounds Queensland Board met to discuss decisions in relation to the de-registration of two North Queensland Greyhound Racing clubs, Cairns and Mackay, from 1 July 2009 and the allocation of TAB racing for Townsville.

Both Cairns and Mackay clubs had been requested to show cause as to their future operations in April. The clubs responded by the Greyhounds Queenslands deadline of close of business on the 6th May, and the clubs responses and viability were carefully considered.

Chair of Greyhounds Queensland, Ms Kerry Watson stated that the viability of the clubs hasnt just been monitored over the last few weeks. The decision had regard to ongoing operational issues over an extended period, and the unlikelihood of these issues being successfully addressed in the future.

The Board concluded that both clubs are not viable under their current circumstances. Mackay will de-registered from 30th June, 2009. The Board did not accept the case for Cairns to be registered from 1 July 2009 on basis as submitted by the club.

Further consideration is being given to Cairns on the back of TAB racing on Tuesday evenings being approved for the Townsville club on a changed basis, which may alter industry demand in that region.

The Townsville club will assume the Tuesday night meeting from 9 July 2009 subject to the necessary SKY Channel infrastructure being in place.

Ms. Watson said Greyhounds Queensland was acting in the best interests of the industry, which hopes to increase long-term support through club consolidation.

Were committed to enhancing and strengthening greyhound racing and believe that through consolidating clubs, current racing hubs like Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Townsville will maintain a strong future, Ms Watson said.

Only time will tell if industry demand supports continued Greyhound racing in Cairns.

1. The Follow On Lure isn't the golden challis many thought it would be.

2. The Cronulla Park track is in trouble. The $10 million promised by the state government was for the Gold Coast replacement, not a free hand out to the industry as a whole.

3. They have already done all the ground testing previously at Logan, with the idea of putting sporting grounds on that plot of land and it failed to meet specs. Let alone the problems they will encounter putting a dog track with grandstands, kennels and a track on the same piece of land.

Who would "they" be?

You seem to be in "the know" Sue, I'm sure you have all the answers ;-)

You should make an effort to find out the current facts before posting misleading information on a public forum.

What is misleading about what I said then?

They built houses in Ipswich on 100 year old mines only to find they were cracking and falling into huge holes. Why would it be any different in the case of the Cronulla Park waste disposal case?

I ask you these questions because you have all the answers and are the judge and jury on Logan Park Track situation.

So there was another unsuccessful attempt only a few years ago. Well blow me down, my comment doesn't look misleading at all. Looks like I have in fact under stated and under estimated the situation, over to you Sue.

You ommitted to say that what you were stating happened 20 years ago, a mere 5 years after the tip closed. Very misleading and not at all relevant to the situation 20 years later.

Get the facts before you post.

The Rugby Union Club have stated publicly that they were totally disappointed to lose such a wonderful piece of land. They have been offered an alternative site in the University grounds at Meadowbrook.

No apology for the truth.

The Saints were originally flagged to move to Cronulla Park, before a proposal to build a multi-million dollar greyhound racing centre at the site back in November 2007, pushed the Saints proposition off the table.

EXTERNAL LINK

If that's what you are pointing to the answer is no.

My interest is what is best for Queensland greyhound racing. We have been given a 20 hectare parcel of land 20k's from the heart of Brisbane, on the main southern suburbs to Brisbane Road. I believe it will cost around 2 million to cap and fill the land etc which will bring it up to the standard of other land in the area. The reason sports clubs haven't succeeded in the past is because they didn't have the money to prepare the land. Wouldn't you like to buy 20 hectares 20 k's from a capital city for $2 million?

The plan after Albion is sold (and hopefully it will be sooner rather than later) is to extend the complex into a Club style facility with function rooms that will also be rented out and generate income. The food and bar profits will also be poured back into the industry, not the case with Albion. It is also planned to build a line of shops along the front of the complex, these will also be rented out and generate more income to be poured back into the industry. I do believe the complex will also house poker machines as well. When this all comes to fruition Qld will have the highest prizemoney of all the States.

This is the biggest opportunity ever given to Qld greyhound racing and I do not understand why anyone in the industry would not get behind it.