Gold Coast Greyhound Racing

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=175 BGCOLOR="#CCCCCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="1017" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FFCC99" BORDERCOLORDARK="#000000" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC99 HEIGHT= 134 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1422ed810.jpg" border=0 width="1005" height="129" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 14 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gold Coast Greyhound Racing"><B>Home</B></A><B> </B> |  <A HREF="committee.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Committee">Committee</A>   |   <A HREF="news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Updates">News Updates</A>   |   <A HREF="ourposition.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Position">Our Position</A>   |   <A HREF="ourproposal.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Proposal">Our Proposal</A>   |   <A HREF="ourvision.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Vision">Our Vision</A>   |   <A HREF="plans.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Plans">Plans</A>   |   <A HREF="correspondence.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Correspondence">Correspondence</A>   |   <A HREF="facts.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Few Facts">A Few Facts</A>   |   <A HREF="membership.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Membership">Membership</A>   |   <A HREF="contactus.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us">Contact Us</A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=275 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="982" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=3 BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 23 ><NOBR><div> <I><B>GOLD COAST GREYHOUND RACING CLUB - STRIVING FOR BETTER RACING.</B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="446"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="446" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF WIDTH="24"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="24" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF WIDTH="496"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="496" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFCC99 HEIGHT= 146 WIDTH="446"><div> The Gold Coast Greyhound Racing Club while not actively racing at the moment, are still here working for the greyhound community.</div> <bR> <div> With the interest of Greyhound participants in south east Queensland in mind, we have been dedicating much time and effort in sourcing other track alternatives and resources.</div> <bR> <div> We will be keeping the greyhound community updated through our website. </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF WIDTH="24"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="146" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="24" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#EEEEEE><NOBR><div> <B><U>NEWS HEADLINES</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Gold Coast fury at Logan dog dump plan </B><B>- </B>July 8th, 2009<I> </I>......<A HREF="news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Updates"><I>read more</I></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>QLD GREYHOUND RACING FIVE-YEAR PLAN</B><I> ....................... </I><A HREF="news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Updates"><I>read more</I></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>"Show cause" letter from Greyhounds Queensland</B>.............<A HREF="correspondence.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Correspondence"><I>read more</I></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="446"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="446" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="24"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="24" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="496"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="496" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#C0C0C0 HEIGHT= 1232 WIDTH="446"><div> <B><U>STRONG WAVE OF SUPPORT FOR GOLD COAST TRACK AND INDUSTRY REVIEW</U></B></div> <bR> <div> The closure of Parklands last year has seen Gold Coast Greyhound Racing Club executives actively pursue not only the establishment of a new flagship complex on the Coast, but also a review of the way our industry operates in Queensland.</div> <bR> <div> Along with furthering the interests of our club, it is our broader purpose, along with our many supporters, to identify solutions to the many issues that beset the industry currently with a view to finding solutions, lift its popularity and promote its expansion.</div> <bR> <div> We want to see the industry grow as a result of positive thinking and professional strategic planning.</div> <div> But there is a substantial weight of opinion that this will not happen without urgent reform and implementation of an action plan to achieve growth which takes into account the input of stakeholders at all levels.</div> <bR> <div> We want greater consultation and stronger lines of communication between the industry, its administration and the Queensland Government. We and many supporters from throughout the state believe the establishment of a flagship Gold Coast track will help to achieve the major boost the industry needs.</div> <bR> <div> <B>It is gratifying to see that many leading stakeholders agree that the $10 million in government compensation for the closure of Parklands should be spent on a new facility on the Gold Coast.</B></div> <div> <B>After all, the existence of a high-quality track within Queensland’s second largest city, and Australia’s premier tourist destination where accommodation abounds, would deliver outstanding opportunities.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Strategies for progress</B></div> <div> We see potential for the development and implementation of innovative marketing and industry development strategies that would position us (the industry) as winners, not losers heading down a one-way path to further decline,</div> <div> The club has also identified potential to work for the staging of national and international events at a new Gold Coast facility, working with strategic business allies – but we must have a first-class facility to stage such events and it must be in an appropriate location.</div> <bR> <div> <B>We have identified a range of Gold Coast sites for either a stand-alone facility or a venue that is part of a major Gold Coast racing and entertainment precinct that would include our proposed centre of excellence.</B></div> <div> <B>We have the support of the Gold Coast City Council and business allies.</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="24"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1232" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="24" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC WIDTH="496"><div> <B><U>WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR</U></B></div> <div> <B><U>OUR RACING LICENCE AND JUSTICE</U></B></div> <bR> <div> This week's decision by GQL to delicence the Gold Coast Racing Club</div> <div> will come as no surprise to most and was expected by the club executive.</div> <bR> <div> The decision marks the start of our campaign in earnest for justice and to </div> <div> win back our licence and a new facility in Gold Coast City using the compensation funds that are rightfully ours.</div> <bR> <div> We will not, on this web site, challenge the legality of the decision - this will be done in our appeal and if necessary in the Supreme Court.</div> <bR> <div> We will ask you to judge whether or not our treatment has been fair.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>The facts speak for themselves: </U></B></div> <div> We were closed due to no fault of our own after 30 years of successful </div> <div> operation to make way for a badly needed new hospital which we supported 100 per cent.</div> <bR> <div> The $10 million compensation fund is being spent on the landfill site at Logan which has prevented us from making more concrete alternative proposals.</div> <bR> <div> Our licence has been cancelled because we are unable to race on the Gold Coast.</div> <bR> <div> We are confident that justice will ultimately be achieved and we thank our many supporters who are standing by us.</div> <bR> <div> Together we can bring about change in the best interests of Queensland Greyhound racing.</div> <bR> <div> Dave Irwin, President.</div> <bR> <div> A copy of the Statement of Reasons provided by Greyhounds Queensland is attached. and that we are de-licensed because of our inability to race on the Gold Coast speak for themselves.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>OUR CASE GROWS STRONGER</U></B><U> </U></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The club is not taking a backwards step in its on-going campaign to have a new racing complex established on the Coast, using the $10 million in compensation for the closure of Parklands and to help the industry to achieve positive reforms. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Our thanks go to all who responded to our recent research. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The report based on this input was presented to senior government officers on Monday and a further meeting involving Greyhounds Queensland is now proposed. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Apart from the Gold Coast club's agenda we want to talk about the major industry issues and potential solutions raised and are prepared to work in a cooperative manner. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Key among the issues is the need for greater consultation. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">We are especially appreciative of the great depth of support we have been given by hundreds of people from within and outside of the industry. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">They include leading state and national stakeholders, and also our allies in the Gold Coast City Council and the business community. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The media is also rallying to our cause with president Dave Irwin being interviewed on Channel 9 and by the Gold Coast Bulletin. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The club will also be vigorously responding to the show cause notice issued this week by Greyhounds Queensland and is very confident of a successful outcome. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">We will leave the issue of whether the timing of the (show cause) had anything to do with our current actions up to readers. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Needless to say, we have very good arguments with evidence to suit our cause and we thank Greyhounds Queensland for providing us the opportunity to bring these issues to light.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="446"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="446" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="24"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="24" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="496"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="496" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=3 BGCOLOR=#EEEEEE HEIGHT= 161 WIDTH="968"><div> <B>SURVEY HELPS TO IDENTIFY FUTURE SOLUTIONS</B></div> <div> In the interests of the industry, the club recently commissioned a survey to seeking input, positive and negative on the current status of the industry, issues that need to be addressed and solutions from stakeholders Queensland-wide.</div> <div> The response to the survey has been outstanding, representling the views of the stakeholders.</div> <div> The survey has identified more than 50 issues of concern and proposes a similar number of potential solutions.</div> <div> <B>We thank all who have contributed.</B></div> <div> <B>A full report on the research has been handed to Queensland Racing Minister Peter Lawlor who is receptive to the club’s views and the issues that have been raised. A meeting is now pending with the Minister.</B></div> <div> Further updates will appear on our web site soon.</div> <div> Committee of the Gold Coast Greyhound Racing Club</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="446"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="446" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="24"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="24" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="496"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="496" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=3 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="968"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="968" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=30 BGCOLOR="#CCCCCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Updated 13.09.2009</div> </td> </tr></table></body>