By SHANE GILLARD, Qld Racing Integrity Commissioner
In September, 2022, Qld Racing Minister Grace Grace announced that the Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre (GBGC) has officially been given the green light by the Queensland Government.
Our expectation now is that racing will commence at the Purga site in 2024, a huge milestone for racing in southeast Queensland.
Having personally consulted on the design of the GBGC, I am pleased that greyhound safety and welfare are at the heart of the final plans for the track and kennel areas.
The GBGC is a world-class site that will feature three tracks – a straight track, a one-turn track and a two-turn track, catering to dogs of a variety of sizes, ages, gaits, and athletic abilities.
Another exciting benefit of the three-track design is that it will allow race meetings to be held at the site seven days a week.
These meetings will be broadcast to more than 60 nations via Sky Racing.
The design of radius and surface banking will reduce excessive limb forces acting on greyhounds while racing, and world-class racing surfaces and modern cambers will also contribute to injury prevention on the tracks.
There will be air-conditioned and sound-attenuated kennels and an on-site vet clinic, as a further commitment to ensuring the highest standard of animal care is at the forefront of greyhound racing in southeast Queensland.
As an additional safety measure, starting boxes have been positioned to reduce interference during race starts, including drop boxes where suited.
Best-practise starting boxes will incorporate optimum spacing between contestants, grille heights and starting location alignment.
I am looking forward to seeing participants and all stakeholders involved in greyhound racing enjoy the quality facilities at the GBGC.
It is great to see the State Government invest $39.15 million into a site that is foremost about promoting animal welfare and ensuring the longevity of greyhound racing in southeast Queensland.