A TRANSITION program for the end of greyhound racing in NSW may be being planned, but Bathurst Greyhound Racing Club track manager Jason Lyne said he is hopeful the ban will be overturned.
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Last month, legislation was passed in NSW Parliament that will ban greyhound racing across the state from July 1, 2017.
And, while the NSW Government may think it is a done deal, Mr Lyne said industry insiders remain hopeful.
“I’ve still got hope. If we get to court and the report is proved to have flaws in it,” he said.
The report is the extensive Special Commission of Inquiry into the Greyhound Racing Industry.
Premier Mike Baird said it found “widespread illegal and unconscionable activity, including the slaughtering of tens of thousands of dogs”.
He said the NSW Government could not stand by “and allow the widespread and systemic mistreatment of animals”.
Mr Lyne said it will be “business as usual” at Bathurst’s greyhound track, Kennerson Park, for the time being.
“We’re trying to make the best of a bad situation, I’ll be here until the end,” he said.
“It is business as usual and I’m doing my best.”
Industry faithful from across the Central West met with Greyhounds Transition Taskforce head Dr John Keniry in Bathurst last week and Mr Lyne said they were angry and frustrated.
Dr Keniry has been tasked by the NSW Government to create a transition package for the industry which will include a raft of measures such as financial assistance.
“The package needs to be fair and equitable and it needs to be done sooner rather than later,” Mr Lyne said.