Sydney's iconic Wentworth Park greyhound racing track will hold its last race meeting in October — nearly a year ahead of schedule — after a surprise deal allowed the government to fast-track the demolition of one of the city's most historic inner-city sporting venues. NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully announced on Thursday that the Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association had agreed to an early termination of its lease over the site, clearing the way for an accelerated transformation into housing, parkland and sporting facilities.
A Famous Track's Final Lap
Wentworth Park has hosted greyhound racing for 94 years, making Thursday's announcement the end of a long and contentious chapter in Sydney's sporting history. The track's final event will be the Million Dollar Chase, billed as the world's richest greyhound race, before demolition crews move in to pull down the grandstand and all associated racing infrastructure.
The venue was not originally due to close until 2027, but the association sought an early exit in what has been a turbulent period for the sport. A damning review released in December found that safety standards for dogs had not been properly implemented for more than five years, and that no chief veterinarian had been appointed to oversee animal welfare at the track.
The closure leaves Sydney with just one remaining greyhound facility — at Richmond on the city's north-western fringe — dealing a significant blow to metropolitan racegoers who had long frequented the 3000-seat inner-city venue.
What Will Replace Wentworth Park
The 14-hectare precinct will be managed by the City of Sydney and is shaping up as one of the state government's flagship urban renewal projects. A masterplan released in December outlined plans for more than 7000 homes and 20 sports fields across the site.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore emphasised the urgent need for open space to support surging population growth in the surrounding area, noting that the broader precinct is expected to accommodate between 23,000 and 27,000 jobs and 4500 to 4800 new homes.
"The thinking is that it can handle more [housing], but it could only do that if it had areas like Wentworth Park for people to be able to get some healthy air," Moore said.
Wentworth Park's location makes it a prime candidate for renewal. It sits adjacent to the former Sydney Fish Market site — also earmarked for residential development — and is within walking distance of the new Pyrmont Metro station. Sydney's property landscape is shifting rapidly as the government moves to unlock inner-city land to address the housing shortage.
"This green space will become the backyard for the area, expanding on the public domain around the Sydney Fish Markets to support thousands of new homes," Minister Scully said.
Industry Transition Funding and Animal Welfare Debate
Racing Minister David Harris confirmed the state government would provide $10 million to help the greyhound industry adapt to the closure, with funds directed toward upgrading tracks in regional communities and supporting the thousands of jobs associated with the sport outside Sydney.
"This transition will support the industry to continue in regional communities supporting thousands of jobs and upgrading tracks across the state," Harris said.
The announcement drew a sharp response from Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst, who framed the early closure as a victory for animal welfare campaigners.
"Greyhound racing is a dying industry — and the early closure of Wentworth Park is one more nail in its coffin," Hurst said. "Wentworth Park belongs to the public, not an industry that kills dogs as a hobby. Its early return is a victory for greyhounds, the local community and everyone who has fought to save dogs from cruelty at this track."
The housing pressures driving the redevelopment are being felt across NSW. Communities across the state are grappling with the consequences of the housing crisis as governments at all levels scramble for solutions. The conversion of Wentworth Park represents one of the most significant inner-city land releases in recent Sydney history, with demolition expected to begin in earnest once the final races conclude in October.
