GRV, and the Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club are pleased to announce that after a thorough design development process supported by an extensive engagement and consultation program, the GRV Board has endorsed a preferred design for the redeveloped Cranbourne track and we are now seeking your feedback on the proposal.
The design process has drawn upon recommendations from the Dexis ‘Safe Racing’ Report, insights from prior track rebuilds, coupled with expert track management, engineering and design advice, and industry engagement.
A set of overarching principles were developed that align with GRV’s safer racing strategic objectives, and the delivery of racing assets that support the long-term viability and sustainability of the industry.
To achieve a balance between safer track design principles and site constraints, and incorporating the practical experience and knowledge of trainers, club members and track maintenance teams, numerous design options were documented.
Three designs were shortlisted for final review and the selection of a preferred design.
After subsequent consultation with the Cranbourne Club and various subject matter experts, the one turn design option shown below was selected for recommendation to the GRV Board as the preferred design.
Cranbourne Track Concept Drawing
- Participants who wish to provide feedback on any aspect of this announcement can do so by clicking this link Cranbourne Track – Preferred Design Feedback to open the feedback portal which will be open for submissions until 8pm on Wednesday 18th January 2023.
Design principles and constraints
These principles were supported and validated by the extensive engagement and consultation undertaken with stakeholders and subject matter experts:
- To deliver the safest track possible within the existing site
- Consider both one turn and two turn designs
- Minimum 60m transitions balanced against maximising the turn radius
- Minimum 7.5m track width
- Minimum 110m run into the catching pen from the finishing post
- Minimise any uphill track gradients
- For the shortest race distance, position the start closer to the turn to reduce the impact of interference as the race pack will run at a slower speed through the turn
Additional considerations:
The preliminary phase of design development saw the Infrastructure Program team conduct site visits, collate requirements from the Cranbourne Greyhound Club and other stakeholders such as Cranbourne’s Turf and Harness clubs, and review both the existing Cranbourne track, and other tracks nationally, to better understand design characteristics, performance, injury rates, issues, and strengths.
During consultation with the Cranbourne Recreation Reserve Committee, which manages the whole complex, it was confirmed that the only land available to the Club and GRV for track redevelopment is the infield of the harness track, with all other land allocated for other purposes.
The following site constraints were identified:
- provision for vehicle access along the back straight of the new track
- preservation of sightlines to the Harness track back straight from the Grandstand and Judges box
- position of the Harness track light poles along the back straight
- the finishing post not easily moved due to Judges box sightlines and racing rules
Stakeholders Engaged
Working closely with the Cranbourne Club throughout, a range of key stakeholders were engaged, including:
- Cranbourne Recreation Reserve Committee and other site tenants
- Cranbourne Club members
- GOTBA Victoria
- Industry participants
- University of Technology Sydney
- Civil structural engineering specialists
- Senior Victorian track curators
- GRV’s track maintenance team
Initial Participant Consultation
To inform the design process, feedback was gathered from Club members and industry participants via a joint GRV and Cranbourne Club track design focused survey, with forums held by the Cranbourne Club for both Club members and industry participants to review and discuss survey findings.
Feedback provided during the forums was consolidated with survey findings and considered during the design development process.
Design Working Group
During the design and review cycle, input was received from key subject matter experts including civil structural engineering specialists, the University of Technology Sydney, Cranbourne Club CEO, senior track curator, GRV’s track maintenance and asset team, and GRV’s participant engagement team.
Cranbourne Track Redevelopment Advisory Committee (the Advisory Committee)
The Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club established the Advisory Committee to provide advice and participant perspective to GRV’s Infrastructure Committee, including advocating on behalf of the Club and participants, and promoting safe racing.
The Advisory Committee is chaired by the Club CEO, with members including a GOTBA representative and club members appointed by the Club based on their individual skills, insights, and expertise.
Shortlisted designs and an overview of the design development and engagement work completed were presented to the Advisory Committee to support discussion and identification of a preferred design.
Cranbourne Track Redevelopment Consultation Timelines to date
2022
- January: Track Temporarily Closed
- February: CGRC Statement to Members regarding investigation of repairs and steps to return to racing
- March: GRV & CGRC joint statement that track would remain closed and instead be redeveloped, stakeholder consultation plan developed
- April: CGRC consult with co-tenants and user groups at Recreation Reserve, member and participant consultation channels defined and developed jointly between CGRC & GRV
- May: Member & participant consultation conducted jointly by GRV & CGRC by way of a survey, with initial findings presented to members and participants at separate feedback forums
- June: Detailed survey findings, forum feedback and other submissions collated
- July: Preliminary track design elements defined
- Aug to Sept: Track design elements and specifications refined, concept drawings developed, and design options shortlist agreed by Design Working Group
- October: Cranbourne Track Design Workshop conducted to agree track design principles, consider participant consultation findings, site constraints, shortlisted designs, and identify preferred.
- November: Cranbourne Track Design information pack presented to CGRC Advisory Committee for discussion and feedback, and identification of preferred track design based on agreed design principles, site constraints and design shortlist options
- December: Preferred track design presented to and endorsed by GRV Board. Participant information / consultation pack published with opportunity provided for additional feedback or submissions.
Next Steps (indicative dates – subject to change)
- Industry feedback opportunity on preferred design (Dec-Jan ’23)
- Collation and consideration of feedback provided (Jan-Feb ’23)
- Refine final detailed design, further validate construction options and obtain cost forecasts (Feb ’23)
- Finalise tender specifications (Mar ’23)
- Secure procurement approvals and release tender to market (Apr ’23)
- Subject to availability of construction contractors and materials
- Anticipated commencement of construction (Sept ‘23)
- Anticipated re-commencement of Racing at Cranbourne (July ’24)
The content on this page was accurate at the time of publishing. If you notice any inaccurate content on this page or anywhere on the website, please report it here