$25m Greyhound racing facility could be approved

LOGAN Deputy Mayor, Russell Lutton insisted almost nothing could stop the construction of a $25 million greyhound racing facility in Slacks Creek from going ahead after Greyhounds Queensland (GQL) lodged its development application for the racing track last Friday.

GQL Chief Executive Officer, Darren Beavis, lodged the 250-plus page application for the major complex in person at the council’s administration building last Friday.

It comes after more than two years of planning and a thorough environmental study of the old landfill site.

The complex, which will be built on the Cronulla Park site at the corner of Compton and Kingston roads, was originally going to be completed in stages, with the first phase to be bankrolled by the $10 million compensation for the closure of the Gold Coast track in 2008.

But as The Reporter revealed on January 20, 2010, GQL were advised by the State Government to go ahead with the full development for a multistorey grandstand complex, two racetracks and a kennel block.

Once completed, all greyhound race meets at Albion Park will be transferred to the new complex, meaning four nights of racing a week will be staged at the state-of-the-art facility.

If everything goes smoothly, Mr Beavis believed construction could begin as early as July and hoped it would be finished in time to host the popular National Sprint and Distance Championships, which is scheduled to be held in September 2011.

And if GQL’s development application is approved, Cr Lutton said it would be the first of its kind in Australia.

“If approved, this track will set new standards within Australia in that it will include both a one turn track to replace the old Parklands track and a circle track similar to Albion Park,” he said.

“This facility is going to be a big thing for the city once it is up and running - I don’t think people truly comprehend the magnitude of what this facility can bring to Logan.”

Cr Lutton also dismissed claims the greyhound track would encourage more people to gamble.

“People that don’t gamble now I don’t think are going to start gambling,” he said.

“And the other thing is all races from Albion Park will be transferred to Logan, meaning there won’t be any new races Logan punters haven’t already bet on.”