QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The Groundz (Dapto showground) is one of the few remaining freehold (privately held) showgrounds in New South Wales, owned and operated by Dapto A&H Society Ltd.
The showground is not state, public or crown land.
Land ownership history is recorded at the New South Wales Land Registry.
Mr Patrick Hill Osborne donated 10 acres to provide a permanent home for the Dapto A&H Society in the late 1800’s, close to the growing town centre.
In subsequent years, Dapto A&H Society acquired an additional six parcels of land adjoining the site to attain its current footprint of approximately 22 acres.
The land was held in a trust until it was dissolved on 17 March 1993 and then held on freehold tenure.
McDonalds and the Ribbonwood Centre reside on the land on a leasehold arrangement.
Land ownership history is recorded at the New South Wales Land Registry.
Dapto A&H Society Ltd is a legitimate business that has been operating since 1857. It is a not-for-profit organisation registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
ASIC regulates compliance with the financial reporting and auditing requirements for entities subject to the Corporations Act 2001. Due to this, the financial statements of Dapto A&H Society are audited annually.
A company limited by guarantee is a common company structure used for not-for-profit and charitable organisations in Australia that reinvest any surplus (profit) towards the organisation's purposes. Recreational (sports and bowling clubs), cultural and charitable organisations commonly use this type of corporate structure.
A company limited by guarantee does not allow payment of profits to members, or the payment of salaries or fees to its directors. It requires any surplus assets on winding up to be transferred to a like-minded not-for-profit organisation or charity.
Dapto A&H Society is a non-profit organisation. As a company limited by guarantee any surplus (profit) must be reinvested back into the company's purposes.
Dapto A&H Society is responsible for all costs and liabilities associated with operating the showground i.e., repairs and maintenance, insurances, rates, utilities, equipment etc. The Society must therefore generate enough income to cover its costs and to ensure the ongoing viability of the company.
The company's mission is to enrich our community, and vision is to provide a dynamic community space which facilitates social belonging and engagement.
Dapto A&H Society’s constitution does not permit the land to be sold.
The purpose of the draft future vision for the Groundz, is to diversity and better utilise the site to ensure its long-term viability and increase community use and participation.
The majority of the showground site is zoned RE2 Private Recreation which enables:
the land to be used for private open space or recreational purposes;
to provide a range of recreational settings and activities and compatible land uses;
to protect and enhance the natural environment for recreational purposes.
The vision allows the Society to grow alongside the changing needs of Dapto and better deliver to the growing population.
No, over the past 165 years, the annual Dapto Show, despite a few cancellations due to weather, insurance issues and the pandemic, has consistently been held.
The annual show is an integral part of Dapto A&H Society’s history and will continue to be held at the Groundz.
As a freehold showground, Dapto A&H Society is responsible for all costs and liabilities associated with operating the showground site i.e., repairs and maintenance, insurances, rates, utilities, equipment etc.
There are many stakeholders that utilise the grounds for charity and non-profit purposes for little or no cost. To continue with this practice Dapto A&H Society must be able to cover its costs through its other operations i.e., commercial activities.
As a non- profit organisation ensuring the ongoing sustainability of the company is the sole responsibility of Dapto A&H Society.
The first greyhound race meeting was held at the showground on Thursday 25 February 1937. Dapto A&H Society operated greyhound racing for more than eighty years to 2019.
Dapto Dogs became a Thursday night institution, famous around the world, recognised both nationally and internationally. No other club in Australia has been able to achieve such legendary status.
The Society is proud of its contribution to the greyhound racing industry and grateful to the many clubs and volunteers who worked tirelessly over many decades to establish Dapto Dogs as a household name known around the globe.
Following the NSW State Government’s unsuccessful attempt to ban greyhound racing in NSW and the ACT in 2016, there was significant industry reform.
In April 2019, as part of a state-wide redistribution, Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), proposed a change to the timeslot of racing at Dapto from Thursday nights to Saturday with a reallocation from SKY1 to SKY2 and a reduction in annual race meetings. The Society did not agree with the proposed timeslot change as it would impact other users of the showground, including the Dapto Rugby League Football Club, weekly markets, bingo and various events and functions. GRNSW agreed to keep the current arrangement in place.
In August 2019, GRNSW provided all greyhound racing clubs, including the Society, with a three-year funding agreement to supersede existing annual arrangements. In addition, an updated Greyhound Media Services (GMS) agreement reassigning royalty rights from the Society to GRNSW was proposed.
The Society did not consider the new terms acceptable because, in the Society’s view, they did not provide certainty over the Thursday night timeslot or reflect the increased costs associated with operating at the Dapto showground which is not public or state-owned.
Negotiations were unsuccessful. On 31 October 2019, the Society’s greyhound racing club registration lapsed and on 6 November 2019, the Society’s Board made the difficult decision to cease greyhound racing at the showground.
After the announcement of the Board’s decision, a legal dispute arose between GRNSW and the Society, including court proceedings.
The legal dispute and proceedings were resolved pursuant to a confidential commercial settlement between GRNSW and the Society that included GRNSW licensing the racetrack from the Society.
Despite purchasing land on Bong Bong Road in West Dapto in early 2023 for a future relocation, in late 2024 Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) approached the Board of the Society and asked that we reconsider our long-term plans to allow greyhound racing to remain at The Groundz on an ongoing basis. GRNSW later requested a minimum extension term of twenty years.
After careful consideration, the Board determined that a long-term continuation of greyhound racing at The Groundz did not align with the Society’s vision, community direction or long-term precinct development objectives.
Following this decision, GRNSW publicly announced that racing at The Groundz would conclude earlier than the planned 30 June 2026 licence end date, with the final race meeting scheduled for 11 September 2025.
The Society continues to own the trademarked Dapto Dogs name and logo, acknowledges and respects its significant historical connection with greyhound racing in Australia, and is proud of its legacy. The organisation is now focused on the next chapter and the future opportunities for the precinct and wider community.
As part of this transition, the Society is embarking on the costly and significant task of removing all greyhound-racing-related infrastructure across the site so that the precinct can be made safe, functional and fully accessible for a wider range of future activities, users and offerings.
No, the draft future vision focuses on diversifying the use of the site to ensure its long-term viability and increase community use and participation, not reduce it.
Dapto’s population is growing rapidly, and the needs of the community are changing. The draft future vision assists to meet the needs of the growing township.
Current tenants, stakeholders, and clubs will be included in future planning discussions and given the opportunity to form part of the revamped site.
Volunteers have been integral throughout Dapto A&H Society’s history and constitute the majority its membership. Members of the Society are people that actively support the objects of the constitution and are willing to provide time and expertise to achieve the mission and vision of the company.
The board is appointed annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) by the members. The board is also able to appoint a further two independents. Any changes to the Directorship of the company are recorded with ASIC.
Please refer to the “company structure & membership” page for more information.
Dapto A&H Society provides numerous facilities and activities for the benefit of the local community, far surpassing its original purpose of holding an annual show.
The first Dapto Show was held on 28 January 1857 at Brown’s Flour Mill in Brownville. In the late 1800’s, Mr Patrick Hill Osborne donated 10 acres to provide a permanent home for the Dapto A&H Society close to the town centre for the purpose of conducting an annual show.
Over subsequent years the Dapto A&H Society acquired an additional six parcels of land adjoining the site to attain its current footprint of approximately 22 acres.
The Dapto Show is an integral part of Dapto A&H Society’s history and will continue to be held at the Groundz.
The future draft vision is intended to allow for greater community utilisation, participation, and enjoyment and to evolve with the rapidly growing population of Dapto.
Yes, in December of 2021, following two years of the COVID19 pandemic, and associated delays in future planning activities, the Society re-purposed an area of the site to launch the Tap House.
The Tap House consisted of two old sheds that have been lovingly re-purposed into functions spaces. A large awning adjoins the vast green space, which is complete with an outdoor stage, creating a unique indoor/outdoor area. The precinct provides a family and pet friendly destination for live music, functions, and general enjoyment.
The Tap House encapsulates the future vision which is inspired by various landmark projects and directly ties into the rich agricultural heritage of the site.