In a significant turnaround, the historic Maitland Greyhounds track has been saved from closure, while the Muswellbrook facility will cease operations by the end of June. The decisions form part of a major rationalisation strategy by the sport's governing body in New South Wales.
Track Rationalisation Sees Mixed Outcomes for Hunter
The future of greyhound racing in the Hunter region has been decided, with a dramatic last-minute reprieve for one track and a confirmed closure for another. Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) announced on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, that the Muswellbrook and Broken Hill racetracks will close permanently on June 30.
Maitland Greyhounds, which had been recommended for closure in the strategy's second stage, has been spared following intense lobbying from industry participants. This move safeguards over 100 years of racing history at the Maitland Showgrounds, where 48 race meetings are held each year on Monday nights.
GRNSW CEO Steve Griffin stated the optimisation plan aimed to lower costs and maximise returns. "With optimisation we won't lose any racing in NSW and it will result in Greyhound Racing NSW being able to lower costs and maximise returns and profits to participants and clubs," Griffin said.
Community Campaign Secures Maitland's Future
The decision to save Maitland came after GRNSW received substantial feedback highlighting the track's unique value. A key concern was that closing Maitland would leave the entire Hunter region without a one-turn track, which stakeholders argued was essential for trainer development and greyhound welfare.
Geoff Rose, Chairman of the Greyhound Breeders, Owners & Trainers Association (GBOTA), welcomed the decision. "We presented our submission and reasoning why we believed Maitland should remain a part of the racing footprint, and felt we presented a compelling case," Rose said.
He confirmed that with the track's future secure, the focus would shift to upgrades. "Now that the future of Maitland has been confirmed, the GBOTA will work on making significant improvements to the track and facility," he added, pledging to deliver one of the region's best and safest venues.
Wider Strategy Reshapes NSW Racing Landscape
The fate of these tracks is part of a broader, multi-stage rationalisation. The process began last year with the closure of several non-TAB tracks, including:
- Coonamble
- Kempsey
- Moree
- Potts Park
- Tamworth
- Wauchope
- Young
In stage two, Wagga Wagga was initially slated for closure but has been granted a reprieve. It will remain operational until the nearby Temora track is upgraded, a project expected to be completed by 2027.
The strategy follows a Deloitte Australia report last year that recommended reducing the number of greyhound tracks in NSW to just 12. This recommendation was endorsed at an industry-wide summit in May last year.
The Muswellbrook track, owned by GRNSW, will not be sold off. Instead, it will be repurposed as a 'Greyhounds As Pets' facility, supporting the governing body's animal welfare programs.
Rose acknowledged the difficult decisions, stating, "We naturally feel for those clubs whose tracks will close but ... we have too many racetracks. We needed optimisation for the sustainable future of our industry." The Hunter's premier track, The Gardens, was never under consideration for closure.
