No Return Date Set For Flood Ravaged Albion Park

BRISBANE Club officials cannot commit to any date for the return of greyhound racing at Albion Park.

Club general manager, Luke Gatehouse, said this today.

“The water level got to 1.5 metres in the kennel block,” he said. “We had a cold room and a freezer floating in the flood waters around the car park.

“That's the sort of impact this flood has had on the Albion Park complex.”

Gatehouse said the impact of this current flood on Albion Park is much more severe than in 2011.

“When the dam was opened, we got a rush of water into the complex, but it left almost as quickly,” he said.

“This flood has stayed with us much longer. And, the bureau is predicting more rain overnight and all day tomorrow.”

He said heavy machinery is at Albion Park today removing the existing racing surface from the greyhound track.

“We expect that to be finished by late Friday or at the weekend,” he said.

“When that is completed we will make an assessment of the geo fabric and the base the racing surface sits on.”

There is no power at the racing complex.

“The wiring at the starting boxes needs to be checked and the underground wiring the same,” he said.

“This restoration to racing will be a long, drawn out process.

“Hopefully by next week we will have a much better idea of a return to racing. We expect Racing Queensland to start the clean-up of the kennels and the car park area next week.”

Racing Queensland today advised that race meetings programmed at Albion Park will not proceed until further notice.

A press statement said: “In conjunction with the Brisbane Greyhound Club, the decision has been made to provide participants with clarity in the short-term.

“The Albion Park facilities have yet to be fully assessed, with flood water still inundating the venue.

“Programming decisions concerning south-east Queensland meetings will be made following further consultation with key stakeholders including Ipswich and Capalaba Clubs.”