The dark clouds hanging over Coonamble Greyhound Track reflected the mood of the community, after plans by Greyhound Racing NSW to close the facility were revealed late on Thursday afternoon 30 May.

The next morning, around forty community members, including past and present club members, business owners and council representatives, gathered to show their support for the Club and their horror at the decision.

"It guts you pretty well when you do all the work and they just make a decision in the boardroom," said Coonamble Greyhound Club President Graham Pickering.

"It's going to hurt the town."

Coonamble is one of three regional tracks tagged for "permanent closure" under what GRNSW are calling a statewide "Organisational Reset" designed to reduce costs and streamline business efficiencies amid "tough trading and market conditions."

Non-TAB racing will cease altogether in NSW, with one exception being Potts Park (Yagoona) in Sydney,

While Moree, Young and Coonamble are to be shut down, and others downgraded to trial tracks, an $18.2 million capital investment program will see new tracks constructed at the regional centres of Tamworth and Wagga, along with upgrades to up to 20 other tracks.

Crowd at a carnival in Coonamble. IMAGE: Greyhound Recorder

"It is regrettable that many of you would have first heard about this in the media," GRNSW CEO Rob Macaulay told stakeholders in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

"We were in the process of contacting impacted stakeholders when it was leaked.

"I can advise you that the Board of GRNSW met this week to approve the Strategy and consider a raft of strategic matters that arose out of its consultation, GRNSW operational and financial needs and the expectations of the community following the McHugh Inquiry and the Greyhound Industry Reform Panel that nearly saw our industry shut down."

"The decisions arising will see many significant track improvements, but unfortunately also some closures.

"These decisions have not been taken lightly. They have been arrived at after careful consideration of industry needs, intersecting with GRNSW’s statutory obligations.

"There are various clubs and groups that will consider themselves adversely, and perhaps even unfairly, effected by some of these decisions."

President of the Coonamble Greyhound Racing Club Graham Pickering would sit squarely in that camp.

"I just can't see with all the money they've spent here, I think it adds up to about half a million dollars they've spent in the past few years," he said.

"It's all just going to go to waste."

He argues with "not much more" investment the Coonamble track would meet TAB racing standards.

"You would find you'd have a lot more races here," he said. "It's an excellent track and the safety has improved. I could name a few TAB tracks that are not as safe as ours."

The annual Gold Cup Racing Carnival is the club's flagship event, drawing trainers, dogs and supporters from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast, many of whom stay in the town for a week, injecting money that circulates around the district.

Deputy Mayor Adam Cohen says the annual carnival is "a massive social event" for the town.

"The amount of money the event puts into the town is huge," he said.

"Coonamble is a small town and having the opportunity to have a large event here has a big impact. Last year we had Shannon Noll here and this place was packed.

"It's such a big money spinner for the town and these big events get more people into our communities to show what these towns in our region can do."

Coonamble's James Doolan with greyhound Lottie and Coonamble Greyhound Racing president Graham Pickering with Beryl. Picture: Dylan Robinson, Daily Telegraph August 2016.

It is not the first time the town has fought to prevent the closure of it's track.

In 2016, then Premier Mike Baird threatened a statewide greyhound racing ban.

A report prepared by Coonamble Shire Council at that time showed that the local economy stood to lose $1.88 million per year, flowing on to a loss of seven jobs if the ban went ahead.

Barwon MP Roy Butler has indicated his support for the Coonamble club and, following a conversation with Mr Macaulay, welcomed confirmation the October carnival would be permitted to go ahead this year.

“Greyhound racing at Coonamble is an important social and economic activity," Mr Butler said.

"During the October Long Weekend racing carnival restaurants, motels and other businesses in the town benefit greatly from the influx of people who come to the races.

"I am pleased that Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has confirmed that they will still be holding the 2024 carnival and I welcome GRNSW’s commitment to travel to Coonamble to meet with the community to discuss.”