Bundaberg greyhound racing track set for $4m upgrade over animal welfare concernsJBy Johanna MarieABC Wide BayTopic:Sport1h ago1 hours agoTue 13 May 2025 at 4:46amRicky Hassall says his dogs are like "family". (ABC News: Johanna Marie)In short:Minister for Racing Tim Mander has announced the Bundaberg greyhound racing track will be converted to sand.The decision comes seven months after the club's snap closure due to safety concerns.What's next?Trainers will receive a travel subsidy to attend races in Rockhampton and Brisbane until the upgrade is complete.abc.net.au/news/bundaberg-greyhound-racing-track-sand-conversion/105286614Link copiedShareShare articleA Queensland greyhound racing track with a high injury rate is expected to receive a $4 million upgrade less than two years after its last renovation.The Bundaberg greyhound track, 4.5 hours north of Brisbane, has been closed since September 2024 over concerns too many dogs were being injured.Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club president Ricky Hassall said the industry was pleased with the government's decision to convert the surface from grass to sand after months of uncertainty."They're part of our family, our greyhounds, and nobody wants to see them get hurt," he said.He said the upgrade would also include transition corners, making it "much safer" for the dogs."Every grass track is generally getting transformed to sand," Mr Hassall said."The biggest problem with grass is they tend to get their feet caught … and unfortunately sometimes break a leg, which is terrible."Stephen Bennett, Tim Mander and Ricky Hassall at the Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club. (ABC News: Johanna Marie)Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander has said the conversion would cost up to $4 million and be carried out by Racing Queensland."It will be good news for greyhound racing in the Wide Bay, and it's also good news for our animals with regards to animal welfare," he said."By having a sand track here and using more modern technology with regards to the design of the track … that will reduce the injury rates."The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds's Annie Hendley said the upgrades were a waste of taxpayer money."It is astounding that in the middle of a housing and cost of living crisis, the LNP Queensland government is willing to blow millions in public money on a new greyhound racing track," Ms Hendley said in a statement. Bundaberg has the last two-turn grass track in Queensland. (Supplied: Racing Queensland)"There are no safe greyhound racetracks."The government is either deluded or lying when they say that a new track in Bundaberg will be any better."Racing Queensland (RQ) originally promised the conversion in 2023 after the completion of a $1.4 million upgrade of the club's facilities, however, the work never progressed.A year later, the industry body shut the club down after a Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) report found 42 dogs were injured with one deceased or euthanased over a three-month period.The report showed the state's only two-turn grass track had a higher rate of injuries per 1,000 starters than other larger tracks, including Albion Park in Brisbane.Travel subsidy to continueThe Bundaberg greyhound racing industry injects an estimated $9.6 million annually into the local economy.For the past seven months, RQ has paid more than $52,000 under a travel subsidy for Bundaberg-based trainers to attend races in Rockhampton and Brisbane.Mr Hassell said it was a "terrible" situation for trainers and their dogs travelling long distances."It's dangerous at night, and you're fatigued," he said."You drive four hours to a racetrack, race your dogs and then drive home."Mr Mander said the travel subsidy would continue to be offered until the track conversion was complete."I'm not 100 per cent sure how long it takes to do these types of tracks, but it will have priority, and we want to make sure we get these people up and running as quickly as possible," he said.ABC Wide Bay — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each ThursdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 1h ago1 hours agoTue 13 May 2025 at 4:46am, updated 1h ago1 hours agoTue 13 May 2025 at 5:02amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)SportGreen among big names returning for World Test Championship finalTopic:CricketPhoto shows Cameron Green holds up his batHollywood duo set up A-League friendlies with Wrexham Down UnderTopic:A-League MenPhoto shows Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate with a trophy after being promoted to the Championship.LeBron can only laugh as disastrous trade nets Dallas potential superstarTopic:SportPhoto shows Luka Doncic and LeBron James laugh together while sitting on the bench at a Lakers NBA game.FOI documents reveal 'boys club' guest list for exclusive LIV Golf suiteTopic:GolfPhoto shows man in suit smiling next to man in sports jacket with grey hair in golf buggy'A lot of anxiety' as Australian players decide whether to return to IPLTopic:CricketPhoto shows Mitchell Starc and Alyssa Healy push their bags through the airport.Top StoriesSussan Ley rejects her Liberal leadership victory is a 'glass cliff' appointmentLIVEPhoto shows Susan Ley talks while standing behind a lectern. Behind her is an Australian flag.Sussan Ley has made history, but her future is full of problemsTopic:Federal GovernmentPhoto shows A woman on a stage is smiling.No matter how he spins it, this is a major capitulation from TrumpAnalysis by Carrington ClarkePhoto shows A close up of Donald Trump's face as he looks over his shoulder with a casual expression.Why the Reserve Bank is wary of rocketing real estate pricesIAnalysis by Ian VerrenderPhoto shows A man walks past two terrace housesGirl in 24/7 care 'so far gone' she may die from sexual exploitationTopic:Child AbusePhoto shows A woman rushing in a hospital corridor.Related storiesQueensland greyhound track remains shut amid safety concernsTopic:Sports IndustryPhoto shows A close up image of the face of a grey and white coloured greyhound dog.'It just makes me feel sick': Concern over six greyhound deaths, 400 injuries recorded at Ipswich racing trackTopic:SportPhoto shows A black greyhound lying down with a blue bandage on its rear legGreyhound racing opponents push for data on SA adoption ratesTopic:Animal CrueltyPhoto shows Adelaide greyhound rallyRelated topicsBundabergOther SportsSportTop StoriesSussan Ley rejects her Liberal leadership victory is a 'glass cliff' appointmentTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Susan Ley talks while standing behind a lectern. Behind her is an Australian flag.Sussan Ley has made history, but her future is full of problemsTopic:Federal GovernmentNo matter how he spins it, this is a major capitulation from TrumpAnalysis by Carrington ClarkeWhy the Reserve Bank is wary of rocketing real estate pricesIAnalysis by Ian VerrenderGirl in 24/7 care 'so far gone' she may die from sexual exploitationTopic:Child AbuseJust InWhyalla steelworks port ownership dispute triggers law changeTopic:Steel19m ago19 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 6:19amCity of Melbourne budget promises CCTV cameras and lighting in safety blitzTopic:Local Government21m ago21 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 6:17amSussan Ley has made history, but her future is full of problemsTopic:Federal Government38m ago38 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 5:59amFrom prisons to roads and health: The NT budget's winners and losersTopic:State and Territory Government39m ago39 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 5:59amMore Just InBack to top