Lithgow greyhound track hosts first TAB meeting after rebuild

The multi-million-dollar venue has returned racing to the Central West after four years, with new safety infrastructure and technology designed to reduce crowding during races.

Key takeaways:

• GRNSW officially opened the rebuilt Lithgow Greyhound Track on November 2.
• The venue hosted its inaugural TAB meeting with an 11-race programme and live Sky Racing coverage.
• The opening restored local greyhound racing after four years without a nearby TAB track.
• The redevelopment introduced a new rail system, SafeChase lure and a new 620m starting point.

Australia.- Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has opened the rebuilt Lithgow Greyhound Track. The venue’s inaugural TAB race meeting was on November 2.

The Lithgow Greyhound Club staged an 11-race programme with full TAB access and live coverage through Sky Racing. The opening marked the return of greyhound racing to the region after four years without a TAB track following the closure of Bathurst in 2022.

Work on the site started in January 2026 and involved a complete rebuild of the racetrack, alongside upgrades to the venue’s facilities and safety infrastructure. The redevelopment included a new rail system and SafeChase lure, while the racing surface was widened and redesigned with radii of 52.7 metres. An extended lure arm can be fitted with one or two lures and is designed to spread dogs more widely at the start and throughout a race, helping to reduce crowding.

A new 620m starting point was also added, and the project included refurbished kennels and public amenities, a rebuilt maintenance shed and broadcast-standard lighting averaging 900 lux.

Steve Griffin, GRNSW CEO, said the project was intended to provide a modern racing facility for participants on the western side of the Blue Mountains.

“We knew how important it was to have this track up and running for the people on the western side of the Blue Mountains who have been without a local TAB track since Bathurst was flooded back in 2022,” Griffin said. “I think anyone attending the first race meeting today will agree that not only has the project been finished on time, but it exceeds the expectations of everyone.”