[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: GREYHOUND RACING BAN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR URGENTLY NEEDED SPORTING FACILITIES

[Jamie Parker]

GREYHOUND RACING BAN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR URGENTLY NEEDED SPORTING FACILITIES
MEDIA RELEASE - 7 JULY 2016

"Today's decision to ban greyhound racing in NSW is a win for animal welfare and provides an opportunity for urgently needed sporting facilities in the local community."  said Jamie Parker, Greens MP for the seat of Balmain.
I welcome the banning of greyhound racing which comes in the wake of the damning report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into Greyhound Racing.
The repurposing of the stadium and racing grounds at Wentworth Park for grassroots community sporting organisations will provide an opportunity to relieve the enormous demand for sporting fields in our community.
I acknowledge the comments of the Premier who confirmed that former greyhound racing facilities would be used for sporting and community uses.
This decision comes after a strong campaign for more sporting facilities by inner west sporting clubs and groups like Spaces to Play.
In February this year I convened a meeting between the Minister for Planning, CEO of UrbanGrowth NSW, Councils and inner west sporting clubs to press the issue.
I'm delighted that we now have an opportunity to help meet the needs of local community clubs. It's important that this site be transferred to the City of Sydney so they can undertake the care, control and management of this important facility.
I look forward to working with the government, City of Sydney and local sporting clubs to progress the transition plan for Wentworth Park when racing ends on July 1 2017."

Ends
For comment please contact Jamie Parker MP
Member for Balmain (02) 9660 -7586




Jamie Parker MP
Member for Balmain
112a Glebe Point Road, Glebe,  NSW 2037
(02) 9660 7586
www.jamieparker.org.au<http://www.jamieparker.org.au/>

The office of Jamie Parker MP respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we work - the Gadigal and Wangal People of the Eora Nation.