ATC accuses Save Rosehill Group of ‘misrepresenting’ facts of proposed $5b sale
The Australian Turf Club has accused the group fighting to save Rosehill Gardens of “misrepresenting” key facts around the proposed $5 billion racecourse sale.
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The Australian Turf Club has accused the group fighting to save Rosehill Gardens of “misrepresenting” key facts around the proposed $5 billion racecourse sale.
Writing to members on Tuesday night, the ATC outlined how it was responding to information circulated in an earlier email from a member of the group determined to have the plans thrown out.
ATC members will vote later this month on whether to sell off the Western Sydney track – which would be turned into a 25,000-home mini-city – and pour $800 million into a world-class transformation of the Warwick Farm course.
The issue has divided the industry with the latest skirmish now emerging just two weeks before the May 27 decision.
The ATC email read in part: “Following ATC Members receiving detailed information last week about the upcoming vote on the proposed sale of Rosehill Gardens, Julia Ritchie, on behalf of the Save Rosehill Group, sent an email containing several misrepresentations”.
The ATC correspondence went on to detail 10 points of debate, including claims from the Save Rosehill Group that “selling Rosehill means sacrificing top-level racing” and “Warwick Farm is not a suitable replacement”.
The ATC countered saying: “Sydney will still have two premier Group 1 racecourses: Royal Randwick and a fully rebuilt Warwick Farm, which will have dimensions superior to Rosehill Gardens for more competitive racing.
The ATC countered saying: “Sydney will still have two premier Group 1 racecourses: Royal Randwick and a fully rebuilt Warwick Farm, which will have dimensions superior to Rosehill Gardens for more competitive racing.
“The ATC is also planning a new racing and training centre at the Penrith Golf Club site, featuring a Group 1 track that could be used for racing in the future.”
On claims the “$5 billion is not guaranteed”, the ATC wrote to members: “Wrong. The resolution ensures that the deal will only proceed if the Government agrees to pay ATC a net of $5 billion.
“Payment will be secured through a legally binding contract with the NSW Government, which will provide a mechanism to safeguard payment.”
The ATC also argued “if the deal negotiated with the Government changes from what is in the resolution or falls through entirely, Rosehill Gardens remains core property and Members’ rights are preserved”.
In a final swing at opponents, the ATC refuted any suggestion the sale was “a betrayal of Western Sydney”.
“The ATC will invest over $1 billion dollars in Warwick Farm and the new racing and training centre at the Penrith Golf Club site,” its email read. “This is a resounding endorsement of Western Sydney.”
Originally published as ATC accuses Save Rosehill Group of ‘misrepresenting’ facts of proposed $5b sale
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