** Strictly embargoed until 9am, Wednesday 3 July 2024 **
Eight years after facing potential shutdown, the NSW greyhound racing industry is now setting records in both animal welfare and industry sustainability, according to the independent body overseeing the sport in NSW.
CEO of Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), Mr Rob Macaulay, thanked and congratulated all 12,335 participants, partners and dedicated supporters. This number includes roles such as participants, volunteers, and employees (full-time, part-time and casual), with 93.6% of these roles located outside the Sydney Metro area. The greyhound racing industry in NSW is loved by thousands and makes an economic contribution across the state of over $655 million, including 4,343 jobs, especially in regional communities.
It is eight years since the former NSW Government announced it was going to shut down the industry. However today, every participant in NSW has a great deal to be very proud of, including the following achievements over the last financial year (2023-24):
- First animal racing jurisdiction in the world to genuinely introduce and enforce a policy of Zero Unnecessary Euthanasia.
- Record rehoming with 2,806 greyhounds assisted to pet life in past 12 months, up from 415 at the time the industry was nearly shutdown. This year also saw the start of programs to rehome dogs to police officers affected by PTSD in Australia and the USA.
- Halved breeding numbers from 10 years ago.
- Improved minimum track and safety standards that have produced some of the safest tracks in Australia.
- Lowest track mortality rate in sport’s history.
- Record prizemoney of over $55 million per year, up from $26 million when the industry was nearly shutdown.
- Accelerated female participation and gender equality, with 55% of total employment at GRNSW now female.
- Zero-tolerance approach to wrong-doers and fully supported the permanent exclusion of participants proven to be engaged in unlawful practices or breaches of its regulations.
“We’re immensely proud of how far our sport has come since almost being shut down,” said Mr Macaulay.
“This has only been possible thanks to our participants, partners and dedicated supporters.”
“Following the McHugh Inquiry and Morris Iemma’s Reform Panel, we have implemented outstanding animal welfare programs, made tough reform decisions and invested strategically in our assets to ensure they are safe and world class.”
“Our Greyhounds As Pets rehoming programs are recognised as the largest, most successful of their type anywhere in the world. GRNSW assisted 2,806 greyhounds transition to pet life in the past financial year, up from 415 when we were nearly shutdown.”
“There is still a lot more to do, but we are making the difficult decisions to secure the long-term sustainability of our sport, particularly focusing on the highest standards of animal welfare.”
For more information: media@grnsw.com.au
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