GREYHOUNDS

STAFF WRITERS

 

FORMER Latrobe Valley councillor and passionate community advocate Lisa Proctor is currently calling on the community to attend a meeting to discuss the future of facilities at Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club.

Proctor said a decision on facilities and use of the track will be going before Greyhound Racing Victoria and the Minister for Racing before the end of the year.

“Unfortunately, it is a bit like groundhog day, I was fighting to retain this facility 20 years ago and here we are again in 2024,” she said.

“It is alarming that there has been no community consultation and input on this decision. Racing ceased months ago and assets have already been removed and are now being used in Melbourne venues. This venue has been used since 1978 and the continual use for purpose is what we want maintained into the future.”

Currently, the GRV facility has no locals represented on the committee and is currently being managed by Sale Greyhound Racing Club.

“Sale has announced they will be building a new facility at Kilmany, let’s hope this is not at the expense of the Traralgon facilities closure or reduction to trialling only which could ultimately see the facility close due to a very small income,” Proctor said.

Proctor understands there has been around $15 million spent on the Traralgon facility, and that an upgrade is required due to lure problems. Similar problems have been overcome throughout Australia, so this can be fixed if there is a desire by GRV and the Minister which would see a full return to racing, Proctor maintains.

Proctor also understands there has already been discussion with Latrobe City Council and GRV on the facilities, but is waiting for further details on the specifics.

“Community want to see the Traralgon community represented formally and not through a Sale Committee,” Proctor said.

“There have already been job losses which we don’t want to see and there has been economic loss in the community which is not what Latrobe Valley wants or needs.”

Proctor is urging the community to attend the meeting at Traralgon RSL next Monday (October 28) from 6.30pm.

There, concerns can be raised and potential solutions then submitted to GRV and the Minister for Racing.

For further information, phone Lisa Proctor on 0457 774 080.