Premier Mike Baird had declared the state’s greyhound racing industry would end from July 2017, sparking outrage and dismay among local breeders, owners and trainers.

It’s now history that the decision – along with the council amalgamations debacle – ultimately helped bring about the premier’s downfall as an unlikely alliance of greyhound battlers, media personalities and an emerging political party staged a fierce rearguard action.

And the Bathurst greyhound industry not only survived, it is now on the brink of becoming one of the key greyhound racing regions in the state.

Racing Minister (and Bathurst MP) Paul Toole announced on Friday that Bathurst had been selected as the home of the new Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission headquarters, expected to open in the Bathurst Post Office building next year.

The commission is being set up to act as regulator of the greyhound industry and will operate independently of government.

It would have a broad range of investigative powers to enter and search public and private premises and use in prosecutions evidence gathered by covert surveillance authorised by a court warrant.

It will be the agency charged with maintaining public confidence in the greyhound racing industry and its establishment here is nothing short of a coup for Bathurst.

Chief commissioner Alan Brown said a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes and the announcement of the Bathurst headquarters would allow enable recruitment to begin for a number of roles, including the position of chief executive officer.

The commission will also give a boost to council coffers, taking up tenancy on a floor of the post office building that has proved difficult to fill.

Along with Australia Post, the NSW Trustee and Guardian and law firm McIntosh, McPhillamy & Co, the commission is another blue chip, long-term tenant that will keep producing a steady income for the owners.

All-in-all, it’s in an incredible turn around from where we were just 12 months ago, and Paul Toole has gone from being one of the men who voted to shut down greyhound racing to the man who is now ensuring its future. Politics can be a funny game.