Time to think about Forbury Park’s future 

People with an interest in the future of Forbury Park – Dunedin’s former harness racing and  greyhound racing venue – are being invited to have their say from now until Tuesday 14  September. 

The 12.2 hectare property in South Dunedin is set to be sold, following a review of racing in the Southland/Otago region, which recommended its closure. The last race meeting at Forbury Park was on 8 July. 

Harness Racing NZ Chief Executive Gary Woodham says, the community’s views will  be taken into account by Harness Racing New Zealand and Forbury Park Trotting Club  during negotiations about the site and the potential selection of a buyer for it. “Forbury  Park offers one of the largest pieces of available land in the Otago District and we have  already been approached by a number of parties with an interest in it.” 

“Before a decision can be made, we need to know what the community and other interested groups and organisations think is the right future for Forbury Park. Given its  prominent location, size, and well-established place in Dunedin’s history, we believe  many people will be interested in having a say on how the land should be used. We’re  looking forward to receiving their feedback,” he says. 

Suggestions for use of the land have so far included a mix of residential properties from  low cost to high end housing; using some or all of it for flood mitigation; allocating some  of it to increase St Clair School’s playing fields; and possibly working around some of the  Park’s current buildings. 

Community drop-in sessions will be held at the Dunedin Rugby Football Clubrooms, 12  Moana Rua Road on Monday 30 August, 7pm-9pm and Tuesday 31 August, 11am-1pm.  Further information about the Park will be available at the sessions. Attendees will also  have an opportunity to give their written and verbal feedback and Harness Racing New  Zealand representatives will be there to discuss the process. 

Further details about the consultation can be found on the Harness Racing New Zealand  website www.hrnz.co.nz/forburypark  

Feedback is invited until 5pm on Tuesday 14 September. 

 

HRNZ Media Release