The Lismore Greyhound Racing Track has been closed since the February 2022 big flood. Right now, the site is housing volunteers from BlazeAid until March with uncertainty surrounding the future of the flood-prone site.

While the future of greyhound racing in Lismore is up in the air, the NSW Government has upgraded its tracking system so that every registered greyhound in NSW can now be tracked publicly.

The Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) launched the world leading IT solution eTrac in June 2022.

Data from greyhounds scanned at tracks, kennels, veterinary clinics, or rehoming agencies is uploaded directly into the system.

The system allows GWIC to know the whereabouts of all registered racing greyhounds, including pre-racing and racing greyhounds, along with greyhounds retired within industry.

The Commission has now introduced a new public access search system for eTrac to elevate the community’s confidence in the industry.

This live map is unique not only to greyhound racing, but globally across all three codes of racing (greyhound racing, harness racing and thoroughbred racing).

The new public access functionality for eTrac allows members of the public to see the approximate location of every registered greyhound in NSW, along with information about the animal.

The location on the map for each greyhound is a marker displayed at a randomised distance within a 30-kilometer geographical radius of the check in scan.

This latest innovation from GWIC, the independent regulator in NSW, highlights the crucial oversight of the industry it provides to ensure the welfare of racing greyhounds.

eTrac also includes a portal for industry participants and a mobile app, making it much easier for participants to perform transactions and comply with notification requirements.    

The eTrac public access can be found on GWIC’s website www.gwic.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris said, “This public search capability not only makes the NSW greyhound racing industry the most transparent in the world but elevates the community’s confidence in the industry.

“The map demonstrates how the landmark e-Tracking system has enhanced the Commission’s ability to protect the welfare of greyhounds and integrity of the sport.

“The level of visibility provided by eTrac public access and the Commission is tremendous. It further demonstrates NSW’s position as a global leader in digital innovation.

“This is what the community expects from the industry and is proof that the investment in this technology has also been an investment in the future of the sport.”

CEO of the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission, Steve Griffin said, “Since GWIC was established, New South Wales has implemented the highest standards of greyhound welfare and integrity in Australia. Innovations such as eTrac Public Access underscore the Commission’s commitment to safe and sustainable racing. 

“The Commission actively monitors every registered greyhound in New South Wales, from pre-racing, to racing to retired. This live map is something which is unique to not only greyhound racing, but globally unique across all three codes of racing.

“We are striving to be a world-leader in racing welfare and governance and pioneering technology such as this reflect that ambition.”