Staff at Lismore City Council are recommending against an application to temporarily increase the number of races held at the Lismore Greyhound track.
The application for the extension had been lodged by the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association.
The GBOTA wanted an extra ten Saturday race meetings, during February through to June, however because of delays in processing the request, only five meetings could be held if the application is approved.
The GBOTA advised the council that the additional race meetings were being sought due to the sale and closure of the Tweed Heads track.
That closure has created a short-term need to accomodate those race meetings elsewhere, ideally in the northern rivers district.
The Lismore greyhound track has been operating since the 1930s, however it has been the subject of numerous noise complaints from surrounding residents.
In a report to tonight’s council meeting, staff have recommended refusing the application.
In a letter to the council, consultants for the GBOTA have claimed that the site plays an important social and cultural role in the community, and that it has the ‘overwhelming support of the community’.
Staff have said however that the operation of the track has resulted in numerous noise complaints over the years and ‘it is not appropriate to exacerbate the situation on an “ad hoc” basis by approving extra race meetings.
Councillors will consider the submission tonight.
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