Came across this article in the “Albert & Logan News” (see original article here), and thought it was worthwhile sharing with our readers, particularly those in Queensland. If all goes according to plan, Queensland punters could get another facility as early as the first quarter of 2011. The full article is reproduced below:
GREYHOUNDS Queensland (GQL) is just one step away from beginning construction on a multi-million-dollar racing facility at Slacks Creek with the proposal now hinging on a final tick of approval from the council.
The group announced this week that it would lodge a development application with Logan City Council within the next two weeks in a bid to get a decision in the first quarter of 2010.
If approved, work on the facility could begin in June, with the first race meeting just nine months later.
GQL general manager Darren Beavis said getting council to tick off on the proposal was the last hurdle in a plan which had spanned more than two years.
He said the group would spend $10 million on the first stage of the facility using compensation from closure of the Parklands track last year.
“It’s been a long, involved process that probably goes back to 2007,’’ he said.
“The industry has certainly been hanging out for it and it’s great to see it come to fruition.
“We’re going to have a facility which we are going to own and it’s something the industry desperately needs.’’
Mr Beavis said while the group would meet with the State Government this week the plan had already received interim approval which would see the land transferred to GQL.
The Cronulla Park site, at the corner of Kingston and Compton roads, passed extensive soil testing earlier this year allaying concerns over its former use as a council dump.
The facility will host two meetings a week once completed, easing the industry’s reliance on tracks at Albion Park and Ipswich.
Veteran greyhound trainer Paul Felgate from Alberton said racing would provide great benefits for the community and national exposure for Logan.
He said the track would also be advantageous for the city’s greyhound racing community, which he believed was the largest in Queensland.
“It would honestly be the best thing for the area,’’ he said.
Logan City deputy mayor Russell Lutton said council had already given the proposal “in principal” approval.
This is obviously great news for fans of Australian greyhound racing in Queensland!
