ATC members can help build ‘a better city’ by selling Rosehill Gardens racecourse

With a vote on selling Rosehill racecourse expected this afternoon, Premier Chris Minns has again backed the plan, saying “if it goes down, I’ll be disappointed”, but ruling out compulsory acquisition.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has again backed a plan to sell Rosehill racecourse and convert it to housing, hours ahead on an historic Australian Turf Club members vote this afternoon.

Speaking on ABC Radio Sydney’s 702 Breakfast program this morning, NSW Premier Chris Minns reiterated his strong support for the plan, which would see the historic racetrack transformed.

The controversial proposal that has divided the racing industry comes to a head om Tuesday afternoon when final votes are cast on whether to offload the Rosehill track to make way for a mini-city of 25,000 homes.

“If it goes down, I’ll be disappointed. I think it would have been a good step forward for Sydney,” Mr Minns said.

“This is effectively untouched land for over 100 years. It’s aligned with a new public transport hub and there would have been thousands of new homes for young Australians.”

The controversial proposal that has divided the racing industry.

ATC plans to sell Rosehill racecourse for $5 billion would see the site swap out horses for houses. Picture: Getty Images

Minns acknowledged the outcome rests entirely with the club’s membership and ruled out any attempt by the government to compulsorily acquire the land.

“I made it clear from the beginning. That would be disingenuous,” he said.

“It’s their future, their decision.”

The Premier’s comments echoed those of a western Sydney business leader, who urged ATC members to set aside self-interest and help shape a better city by endorsing the sale of Rosehill Gardens.

ONE SHOT AT $5bn

The ATC has also been warned by a major property developer that the potential $5 billion windfall from selling the racecourse is an “all or nothing” jackpot that will never be on offer again unless the plans are approved.

David Borger, Executive Director of Business Western Sydney and Chair of the Housing Now! Alliance, says the opportunity is a “once in a generation” opportunity that transcends sport.

“The ATC members have a really important choice to make because the future of our city is at stake with this decision,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“The chance to get a new city of housing for our kids … we’ll only get one shot at this.

“We’ve got 30 to 40-year-olds leaving Sydney for Queensland because we haven’t made a place for them here.

“This is the most exciting opportunity to build and change our city than any other project I can recall.”

David Borger. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Borger said suggestions from Save Rosehill supporters that the ATC should not sell now, and wait a decade or more until land values rise further, were out of touch with reality.

“In the middle of the worst housing crisis in a generation, this project opens the door to 25,000 new homes,” he added.

“Importantly it also helps secure a new Metro West station. But without developing that land, there won’t be a station between Parramatta and Olympic Park.

“This is the point of no return. The value opportunity exists now, it won’t be there down the track.”

Premier Chris Minns discusses the ATC’s Rosehill proposal at its unveiling in December 2023. Picture: Monique Harmer

Rick Graf, development director at Billbergia, the property company that has significant landholdings in the area, said unless the Rosehill sale goes through, a Metro station will never be built and the racecourse value would likely plummet below $1 billion.

“You can’t come back and put a metro station in later, don’t kid yourself about that,” he said. “So that would make it a car dependent community and the ability to put in any sort of serious density would be extremely limited.

“You might get 5000 homes rather than 25,000 but without that higher density you can’t afford amenities for the new community like shopping, dining, schools, open space, parklands and social infrastructure.

“There’s no way to afford all that if you’re only doing 5000 homes. It would be a very modest development for which there would be low demand. This is absolutely an all or nothing.”

The ATC plans also include investing $800 million in upgrading Warwick Farm to a world-class racing and training facility.

The ATC plans also include investing $800 million in upgrading Warwick Farm.

Online voting for the proposal opened on May 6 and closed at 2pm on Sunday. In person votes can be cast at a members’ meeting tomorrow at Royal Randwick racecourse.

Global technology company Computershare has run the voting process with the ATC boasting 11,500 members.

“This can be a rare double win,” Borger said. “More homes for our growing population and a secure future for racing. That’s a quinella Western Sydney can get behind.”

Rob Furolo, executive manager corporate communications at property developer Deicorp, said: “We don’t have a dog in this fight but as a city we want more homes in areas where people can afford them.

“Bringing together homes, transport and open spaces also makes for stronger and more integrated communities.”

Originally published as ATC members can help build ‘a better city’ by selling Rosehill Gardens racecourse