What you said about Greens plan to redevelop Eagle Farm Racecourse

It’s the radical Greens plans that is leaving many seeing red – and sparking an almighty debate.

It’s the radical Greens plans that left many seeing red.

If elected, the left-wing political party in March 2024 proposed redeveloping Eagle Farm Racecourse into affordable housing and public green space – a plan quickly shot down by many.

Greens lord mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan has intentions to compulsorily acquire the heritage-listed Brisbane Racing Club site in Ascot.

He believes about $40m in council funds would be sufficient, and then a Greens-led council would look to share the housing construction costs with the state government.

The 4000 medium-density dwellings would cover a fifth of the 49ha site and be built in buildings no higher than five storeys, which would also have commercial units underneath.

Half of the homes would be strictly available to those on the state government’s social housing waiting list and rented for 25 per cent of regular household income.

The other half would be affordable housing available to any Brisbane resident, and rented out at 30 per cent below-market rent.

The rest of the site will be allocated to existing heritage-listed buildings, and under-construction Charlton House apartments which are part of Mirvac’s Ascot Green development.

The Greens would also allocate 25ha of the site as parkland and community sports fields, with the potential for a new public school and medical centre and library.

News of the plans left many readers confused and angered.

Some claimed the idea flew in the face of what the party stands for.

Others suggested there were far better solutions.

And some insisted the Greens need to keep their hands off the racecourse.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Shocking idea

Hannah

$40m hahahaha and what about the costs of paying out all the long term tenants of the racecourse and loss of jobs, tourism etc. if Brisbane residents vote for this they will be agreeing to turn Brisbane into a slum and our already over crowded roads will get significantly worse

Darren

If this goes ahead it could be Brisbane’s first purposely built ghetto

Paul

So the initial $40m to buy the land, what’s the cost to actually build everything? who’s paying for that?

Josh

Sounds like a potential ghetto to me, like those housing estates in the UK.

Steve

Simpleton’s view of the universe. The debt incurred in buying the land, developing infrastructure and building 4000 homes plus retail outlets would be horrendous and lead to massive rates increases and n future. No way could the weekly rental charges ever pay off that amount of debt.

Greens lord mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan at early voting for the Brisbane City Council election on Monday. Picture: Richard Walker

Typical Greens

Lester

Heaven help us if the Greens get in.

david

Greens, cut down the trees for housing but there’ll be a concrete bike track. How’s that help to cool the earth. They either dumb or hypocritical maybe both!

Richard

No way in hell I’d vote Green.

Blackstar

Another thought bubble, has he consulted with The Queensland Racing Club and The Trainers and Owners Association, probably not.

Anthony

This is exactly why this goose plus labour should be almost banned from election day. Free transport for all, Eagle Farm buyout, lower costs for all, but no loss of programs – so who pays – the ratepayers and not the money tree in Sri’s backyard I guess. The housing crisis is a labour born issue with record immigration and no plan how to house them!

Alan

If he wins the council election its time to move he would destroy Brisbane.

I like the plan

Steve

both race tracks should be forcibly acquired and made into high density public housing,

Rodney

Compulsory acquire Victoria Park. This would provide a better alternative, plus have the added advantage of preventing the Olympic takeover and reducing the area to useless stadiums after the games.

Andrew

Surely they could acquire vacant land which is not being used for anything. There is plenty of spare bush on the outskirts of town.

Mark

This would be an amazing addition for Ascot.