MANNING Valley residents involved in the now doomed greyhound racing industry yesterday were advised of the transition package being put together by the NSW government.
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The package is being developed by Dr John Keniry AM, the co-ordinator general of the Greyhounds Transition Taskforce. He spoke to 35 people involved in greyhound racing in this area. He was appointed by the government to work with the industry to ensure ‘a humane and orderly transition to cease racing on July 1, 2017,’ according to a press release.
“As well as offering financial assistance to transition dogs and people out of the greyhound industry, other government and non-government support services will be provided, such as training programs and business advice,’’ he said
Dr Keniry said many involved in greyhound racing are still in shock.
“There’s no doubt that people within the industry aren’t happy with the decision,’’ Dr Keniry told the Times.
“But our position is that the legislation has been passed and there’s a transition package the government wants to put together.
“We need to get that package to be as good as it can be. Most people have engaged in the discussion in that light.’’
Dr Keniry said there are two major issues most associated with the industry are concerned with.
“The Act says greyhound racing stops in NSW on June 30. But there’s no decision on when training, breeding and rearing should stop and whether that can be extended beyond June 30. That needs to be resolved fairly quickly.
“The issue for some is that if dogs are reared and trained legally in NSW then they should be able to race interstate. That sets a timeframe as to how long training should continue.
“The other issue is what is going to happen to the dogs. They all have quite an attachment to the dogs and they aren’t really keen on surrendering them when they don’t know what might happen.’’
Dr Keniry assured that Taree Greyhound Club’s Kanangra Drive complex won’t be sold.
“It’s a crown lease track. There are 34 tracks in NSW of which 15 are crown lease.
Once greyhound racing finishes there the area will revert to public use.