City of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore AO has hailed the NSW Government’s move to transform the Wentworth Park greyhound track for housing and sporting facilities a “huge win” for the city.
The Government has confirmed the 14-hectare site will remain in public hands to help meet the housing and recreational needs of the growing Ultimo-Pyrmont area
“After years of steadfast campaigning in the face of promises and backflips from successive governments, we finally have some concrete, wonderful news about Wentworth Park,” said the Lord Mayor.
As part of the plan, the 3.3 hectare Wentworth Park Sporting Complex precinct will be converted into community sporting fields and public green space, allowing for the rezoning of the surrounding area to support up to 2,500 additional well-located homes.
The Government says it will work with the Council to ensure the rezoning is delivered in a timely manner and will step in to undertake a State-led rezoning if required.
When the current greyhound lease expires in September 2027, the existing facilities will be demolished and the land transferred to the City of Sydney to be converted into community sports fields.
Current estimates suggest approximately 20 additional sport fields are required in the city area by 2031 in order to meet the needs of the sporting community.
“Wentworth Park has a long and proud history, and today we’re securing its future for the next generation. This plan keeps land in the public hands and delivers new homes, new sporting facilities and new open space for a community that is growing fast,” said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully.
“Our city is changing, and we have a responsibility to make sure people can live near the jobs, education and transport they rely on. We’ll continue working closely with the City of Sydney to deliver this rezoning in a timely way, and we’re ready to step in with a State-led rezoning if it’s needed.”
Lord Mayor Moore said that returning the greyhound stadium to public parkland was “the right call for the tens of thousands of people living in high density on its doorstep”.
“If that wasn’t enough reason on its own, the fact remains that greyhound racing is cruel, barbaric, outdated and unsustainable – it has no place in modern society,” she said.
“It is a gambling business that has admitted to killing 17,000 healthy dogs each year and causes untold damage to people with gambling addictions.”
In 2022, the Council led a community engagement process, supported by the NSW Government, to develop a future vision for Wentworth Park. Feedback strongly supported removing greyhound racing facilities and unifying the park.
“The community made clear it wants a green space connected to nature, a place for sport and play that is easy to access and move through.”
“I warmly welcome the Government’s commitment, which allows this vision to become a reality.
“At a time when Sydney desperately needs more housing and open space to support residents living in high densities, it is wonderful news that the NSW Government is returning this important parkland to the community,” said Lord Mayor Moore.
