Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Announces Organisational Reset
Sydney, NSW – May 20: Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has announced an Organisational Reset aimed at reducing costs and enhancing business efficiencies amid challenging trading and market conditions.
The restructuring involves staff redundancies at head office and operational teams, reductions in supplier and contractor expenses, and decreased club distribution payments.
Rob Macaulay, GRNSW Chief Executive Officer, stated that the reset targets a 30% reduction in total budget expenditure for FY2024-25.
“Efforts have been made to preserve returns to participants, who are the core of our sport,” Mr. Macaulay said. “Prize money per race remains unchanged, with minor adjustments to Group and Feature races already published. Animal welfare and track safety initiatives will continue to receive increased funding, adhering to our commitment to world-best practices.”
The reset follows a state-wide consultation with participants, industry leaders, and business partners.
“GRNSW, like other racing bodies in Australia, is facing tougher trading conditions due to a significant reduction in wagering turnover,” Macaulay explained. “Wagering-derived revenue is down 22.5% this year, impacting our overall income. The severe challenges in the Australian wagering market are affecting all racing organizations, including ours.”
The impact has necessitated job losses as part of a comprehensive business review. Support, including counselling and career transition services, is being provided to departing staff.
Most redundancies affect head office managerial and administrative roles, and the Wyee kennel facility will be repurposed as a base for the “Aussie Mates” US rehoming program for retired NSW greyhounds, managed by a welfare logistics partner.
“This reset follows extensive consultations and a full business review to address the ongoing decline in wagering revenue,” Macaulay noted. “Identified cost savings include head office and supplier reductions, with club distribution payment programs being finalised based on wagering turnover revenue.”
Macaulay emphasised that all animal welfare programs, including rehoming, PTSD retraining for retired greyhounds, and track safety upgrades, will remain fully funded with a commitment to maintaining world-best standards.
“We aim to become more agile, lean, and efficient, ensuring participants are not negatively affected. We believe these changes will benefit participants and the industry as we align our cost base with current market conditions,” he concluded.
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