Track was OK, the kennels OK the rest left a little to be desired but I am sure there would be plenty of change left over with even $10 million to build somthing like that but with an upgraded veiwing facility then that of Beenleigh. Doesnt have to be the Taj Mahal of grandstands. Look how many dont attend the track anymore. As long as the trainers & some owners can be made comfortable whilst waiting for their race is all is needed.

Has anything been done by the Gold Coast Club seeking out an alternative to Logan.
All eggs seem to be in the same basket.

Is GQL going to be the administrator of the sport or is it now going into business as a race club?

EXTERNAL LINK .......full pdf of the 'master plan' for Cronula Park.

You want action and answers???
WITHDRAW THE PRODUCT.........then you may see some results.

Mal Dawson, Thanks for your words of support, the watchdog committee is being very proactive in discovery on behalf of all participants. The work Les Bein and others have done is mammoth.

Queensland Watchdog Committee News Letter

The Queensland watchdog Committee was formed from a group of approximately 20 greyhound racing identities following a meeting organised by Steve Hawkins. The catalyst for the meetings was probably the closure of the Gold Coast track and the grandstand problems with Albion Park. This group has been formed because of the uncertainty surrounding the future of greyhound racing in this State. The purpose of this newsletter is to bring licensees up to date with what we have learned and what our concerns are.
We have had approximately 5 meetings and in that time we have met with the Directors of Greyhounds Queensland as well as a representative of the Opposition Leader Mr Springborg (Diane Balke), The Shadow Minister for Racing Mike Horan, the State Member for Lockyer Ian Ricketts, the head of the Racing Department Michael Kelly and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer and Member for Mt Ommaney, Julie Attwood. The meetings with these political identities were particularly encouraging and an indication of our reception with the Government representatives was that a scheduled 30 minute meeting went for an hour and a quarter.

The stance of the Watchdog Committee is that the State Government has afforded Greyhounds Queensland an enormous opportunity to establish greyhound racing in this State as a world leader. But this opportunity will only be realised if it is managed efficiently.

One of the most important pieces of information provided by Mike Kelly at this meeting was that the $10 million compensation from the closure of the Gold Coast and the transfer of the ownership of Cronulla Park at Logan was dependant on Greyhounds Queensland coming to an agreement with the Harness Board on the future of the Albion Park site. If a stalemate continues then it is highly likely that the government will step in to assist with a resolution.

The issues:

Albion Park:

It is our stance that we will eventually need to leave Albion Park but as explained in the article in last months Journal by CEO Luke Gatehouse the timing of our exit from Albion Park will be crucial in obtaining our best possible financial advantage from that valuable asset. An early departure may well see us accept an amount of financial compensation well below its estimated value of approximately $112 million. Staying at Albion Park is not an option as we believe our opportunities to grow will be better realised as an independent entity.

Logan:

We believe in the Logan concept. We do, however, have reservations over the site at Cronulla Park being our best option. Because this site is a former dump there is environmental issues that have to be met before the construction can commence.

(1) Currently there are 4 methane towers on this site to deal with the gas build up that occurs from the breaking down of refuse buried there. The Logan City Council currently budgets $40,000 per annum for the maintenance of these towers. This expense would become the responsibility of the greyhound industry once ownership is transferred.

(2) The site has to be capped before construction can commence. The plan for the development of Cronulla Park includes an amount of $3.4 Million to meet the costs of capping. There is some conjecture at this time as this amount may be conditional on the fill being provided at no cost. Estimates we have procured from 2 independent sources both indicate that costs for capping a site of the size of Cronulla Park is more likely to be between $9 and $10 million. It would appear that Cronulla Park may be given to the greyhound industry for free but it does comes with an annual budget expense of $40,000 and a fee of between $3.4 million and $10 million to address environmental issues.

(3) If Cronulla Park is cleared as the most practical option to build a multiuse complex for greyhound racing how long will it take? It was estimated that once commenced the Logan complex would not be operational for two years. This would be best case scenario and during our discussions in Parliament House all agreed that it will be most likely 3 years or longer depending on the priorities of the construction industry at that point in time.

The questions that we ask are

(A) Would it be more practical to buy a clean site for approximately $2 million with no environmental issues to address and no ongoing environmental maintenance costs?

(B) Have Greyhounds Queensland made appropriate inquiries into what else is available for purchase without environmental issues?

Interim Measures:

Currently there appears to be no Plan B for the greyhound industry. What happens in the period between now and when the Logan complex is operational. Last year we saw the closure of Albion Park for approximately three weeks due to unforseen circumstances such as E.I. On those occasions we were able to transfer meetings to other tracks (Gold Coast & Ipswich). If that were to occur again what are our options for moving meetings? Will meetings be lost to trainers? Who will compensate them for loss of income? Will we retain our SKY race dates if something unforseen forces the closure of either track in the next three years?

The Watchdog Committee has written to Greyhounds Queensland requesting that they conduct a survey on the support within the industry for the opening of a third track until the Logan complex is up and operational. We believe that this could be done on the internet so that everyone can see where the support within the industry lies.

If there is support for an interim measure we believe that accurate financial estimates should be made for the re-opening of the Toowoomba and the Beenleigh track. An informed decision then has to be made as to which if any is the more practical option. This industry needs a third track not only to ensure that there are options in the event of unforeseen circumstances but also to strengthen out tenuous status in negotiations with the Harness Board. Doing nothing is no longer an option.

On 11 September the Watchdog Committee wrote to Greyhounds Queensland following the meetings at Parliament House. A copy of this letter is attached (Attachment A)

This letter was responded to by Greyhounds Queensland and it indicated that the issues raised would be dealt with at their meeting on Thursday 25 September. To date there has been no information as to the result of that meeting. A phone call made to Greyhounds Queensland on Thursday 2 October requesting the results of those meetings had not been responded to. Therefore the Watchdog Committee resolved at their meeting on Thursday 2 October to write to Greyhounds Queensland expressing their disappointment at the lack of communication and restating the need for a web poll so that all members of the industry can record their support or otherwise for the provision of an interim track whilst the Cronulla Park and Albion Park issues are being resolved. The Watchdog Committee will undertake to keep the industry informed as to the progress of that request.

Surely Greyhounds Queensland preliminary investigations into the site should have revealed the same, so why did they continue to spend money on other investigations and the drawing up of plans etc not to mention the waste of over 12 months of precious time since the Logan proposal was first mooted in August of last year?

The lord giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other?

The last thing the watchdog wants is to go finger pointing and slinging mud, presently in QLD we are treading water to be generous of the situation.

BK

BK

Point noted, but it has to be remembered, all the current Board has ever done is "taketh away" from this industry.

It also has to be remembered, the words 'transparency' and 'accountability' aren't in their vocabulary.

The forming of the Watchdog Committee is a worthy and noble act.
But it is a Committee devoid of power.....that is barring the power to withhold nominations.

Great idea the web pole.
But shouldn't the question be......a vote of confidence in the Board?

I wish the Watchdog Committee all the best in their quest......heres hoping for Government intervention rather than divine intervention.

I think it was Rudyard Kipling who wrote;

"The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

The law Of the jungle

BK

1. Get the Gold Coast club up and running out of Beenleigh. Even if its for up to say 5 years, we need this track to be operational. The ten mil from the government is there for the GC club to establish a new complex. Or has the government stated it can go to the Brisbane club and Ipswich also. Negotiate with Beenleigh, it could be a good move if the right people are involved and a plan in place. Its no good sitting back waiting for government decisions. The GC club is the one missing out here so lets look at their interest's. To accomodate those participants in the area, a suitable site is required other then Cronulla Park and the ongoing drama's that come with it. Ten mil, will get them up and running to cater for participants and public, nothing huge but comfortable. In time, and with the proper and ongoing publicity, the club will move along. But first to cater for the GC club and its members requirements.

2. Ipswich may only have a couple of years left at its current complex. Well there is plenty of vacant land in this area. One block, an old hockey field, being only a short drive from the showgrounds. With a grandstand, carpark and lighting. All being overgrown and rundown. What opportunities await for the Ipswich club and those many participants in the area. They have money in the bank but maybe not enough to establish a complex to suite. Obviously if they must vacate the showgrounds, maybe the government can come up with some sort of package to help relocate and establish their own complex. The Ipswich club involves getting community groups to participate at the odd meeting. They strive to attract the public and to have them in the gate. Hard work put in by individuals is the clubs backbone. They deserve to stand onlone in their own establishment.

3. The Brisbane club has their land at the Gabba, this would surely cover a suitable site on the northside. They have their trial track at Lawnton, there are many industry participants in the area and should be accommodated just like the Gold Coast and Ipswich. With the right approach, local councils will surely listen to what would be a promising investment for the community.

Its difficult to address with little or nil information available to the industry participants. But three, stand alone clubs would be more beneficial to the south east corner then just the one complex. Following the sale of the 50% share in Albion Park, the future would look even better for all. The group calander would be shared around the three host clubs and if played right, may include a few more. We do need to attract those top trainers and their hounds if Qld wants to step up in this industry. The future is obviously away from Albion Park and with the eventual sale of that property, could set the industry up here for a very long time. One complex may seem a good idea to many, but for the industry to be competitive and to thrive, three city/tab tracks to the south, north and west would be the better investment. No good thinking it will make life easier by being at the one state of the arts complex. The industry needs the stand alone clubs, they need to attract the patrons and they need to be prepared to be bold in their decisions while puting long term goals in front of all industry participants.
Having the one complex could create some difficulty in the future if ever there is conflict down the path. Three city/tab tracks would be a much better option while catering for the many participants and public in general. Plus, what would happen if a major problem is discovered in the new state of the art one track complex. Where does racing in this state go then. Queensland is a great state to be in, but cant really say that for the state of the greyhound racing industry.

As for Ipswich, I dont believe their coffers would stretch anywhere near the establishment of a new track even if free land is available as current (rumours) suggest. It would be hoped that the $10 million Government compensation for the Gold Coast has set a precedent and the same would be given when Ipswich is asked to vacate although the Government has no obligation in that respect so we cant count on it.

Dan your plan sounds ideal but unfortunately I don't think that is the way it is going to pan out.

It would be great if when Albion Park is eventually sold Greyhounds Queensland consider building two tracks, one on the north side and one on the south side but unfortunately the plan for only one complex catering for all TAB meetings in the Brisbane region has been on the cards for nearly 20 years now and it looks to me that is the way we are heading.

Given that circumstance it may not be as simple as you think is what I'm hearing Sue, isn't the President Michael Byrne a QC of the absolute top order??

Remember when the Gold Coast corridor was where most of the trainers were located not much more than 10 years ago. There is nothing to say the demographics of the west won't change in another 15 years. We need to be positioned to allow flexibility.

I have heard Ipswich is right for up to 10 years. Their coffers are ok, but couldn't fund a new track. I believe $0.5m would be in the ballpark for their funds at hand.

So we just need to get something up and going in Logan to cover us until Albion Park is resolved.

There is no reason that land shouldn't be acquired well in advance of being needed as the value will surely grow in time. The classic case in point is the land in possession of the Brisbane Club.