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$13m boost keeps dogs at Cannington

$13m boost keeps dogs at Cannington

The WA greyhound industry received a major boost yesterday when the State Government approved $13 million in funding to retain a Perth base at Cannington.

WA Racing Minister Terry Waldron last year supported Greyhounds WA taking out a new 30-year lease, with a 30-year option, on the site of the old trotting training track behind the existing course when the lease expires with the Canning Agricultural Horticultural and Recreational Society on July 26 next year.

The Government yesterday gave permission for Racing and Wagering WA to provide the $13 million to continue to build the new track, kennels and administration buildings.

The industry still needs another $8.3 million to build a public grandstand and facilities.

"Over recent weeks there has been a real concern within the industry that this funding would not be approved and we would be forced to leave Cannington and merge with another code," Greyhounds WA chief executive David Hobbs said.

"This $13 million for the new Cannington stadium means that the overall future of our industry in WA is now secured.

"Cannington is the heart of the industry and failure to proceed with this new stadium would have displaced 103 meetings and 156 trials, thereby jeopardising our responsibility to this industry which now represents 25.1 per cent of all totaliser betting in WA.

"The new stadium will provide important new purpose-built facilities for the local community that will be used seven days a week.

"It can cater for trade shows and conferences for small to medium-sized businesses within the Canning Shire."