Logan's bidfor greyhoundracingByDAVID BRASCHLOGAN City wants greyhound racing<strong>and</strong> it has the backing of the council thethird largest in Queensl<strong>and</strong>.Development <strong>and</strong> environmentcommittee chairman Russell Lutton isbehind the moves to look at theestablishment of a new greyhound race clubor the relocation of the Brisbane Club to thearea.Already a number of prime sites havebeen spotlighted as possible greyhoundracetracks.Lutton, 55, has been a greyhound ownerfor many years <strong>and</strong> a member of theCouncil for 20 years.He said he had already discussed agreyhound racing move to Logan City withhis fellow councillors <strong>and</strong> they indicatedtheir full support.Lutton said “four or five years ago” theBrisbane Club approached Logan Cityabout the possibility of relocating fromAlbion Park.“The club also looked at an area inRedl<strong>and</strong> Shire, but changes were made atAlbion Park regarding ownership so theclub was committed to stay there,” he said.Lutton is fully aware of the suggestedredevelopment of the Albion Park complex.“And I’m also fully aware that themajority of the greyhound racing industrywants out of there,” he said.Want a Good Tip?AirportCars794 Oxley Rd, CorindaContactDaryl & DeniseKavanagh0418 878880Logan Shire CouncillorRussell Lutton on one of anumber of sites he feelswould suit a greyhoundracing complex.Under the Local Government reform,Logan City will take in Beenleigh,including the Showgrounds wheregreyhound racing had been held fordecades.Lutton said he was not suggestinggreyhound racing should be re-opened atthe Beenleigh Showgrounds unless a newlydeveloped track <strong>and</strong> facilities were built.He said a large number of hobbytrainers <strong>and</strong> professionals either lived in orwere within a short drive of Logan City.“Some of the sites available forgreyhound racing are perfect,” he said.Lutton said he had held very informaltalks with the GRA regarding a possibleshift.“Logan is a very powerful council,” hesaid. “As I said, we are the third largest cityin the state.“In our Shire we have five statemembers in Government including aMinister. Under the Local GovernmentReform we will get another Minister underour exp<strong>and</strong>ed boundaries.”He sympathized with owners <strong>and</strong>Have the Right Info for YouNew or Used CarsServicing the GreyhoundIndustry for 25 yearsSpecial of the Month2001 VX Commodore Wagon145,000kms, Log Books$9750trainers <strong>and</strong> the nightmare they facedgetting to <strong>and</strong> from Albion Park under theever-increasing traffic burden that isBrisbane’s streets.“Albion Park is too hard to get to,” hesaid. “The traffic is difficult <strong>and</strong> publictransport to the site is impossible.“I believe we can get the crowds back togreyhound racing by establishing a newracetrack in Logan.”Lutton has already floated the idea witha front page story in a recent edition of theLogan <strong>and</strong> Albert News.“And the response to me personallysince that story ran has been huge,” headmitted.“The overwhelming response was to getgoing.”Lutton says a public meeting will becalled in the not too distant future <strong>and</strong> asteering committee formed to look at thepossible sites for a possible relocation.“Once the steering committee is formed,our task will be to get a preferred site, thenhave formal talks with the GRA Board, theBrisbane Club <strong>and</strong> the Racing Minister thenlobby the State Government,” he said.“We have to put together a very goodbusiness plan <strong>and</strong> we can do that.”Lutton says a greyhound racing move toLogan City would be a “win, win” situationfor Logan.“It will bring more infrastructure, morerecognition of our Shire, a national industryto our midst etc.”“We already are getting a lot of generalsupport for the proposal,” he said.Councillor Lutton can be contacted on(07) 34125392 or 0411 869099.The (September, 2007) Journal Page 12
Coonamble Greyhound Racing ClubOctoberLong Weekend CarnivalThe Biggest Betting CountryCarnival in AustraliaGet set for $?,000'sFeaturing The Rooty Hill R.S.L.Maiden Sweepstakes (301m)winner $7000websitewww.coonamble.org/greyhound_races.htmThe (September, 2007) Journal Page 13
Change language