Libs succeed in push for inquiry into Rosehill racecourse sale

A NSW parliamentary inquiry into the proposed sale of Rosehill racecourse in order to turn the site into a housing metropolis has been successfully launched by the Speakman Opposition.

A parliamentary inquiry into the proposed sale of Rosehill racecourse in order to turn the site into a housing metropolis has been successfully launched by the Speakman Opposition.
Teaming up with a rag-tag group of crossbenchers, the Liberals, who have been critical of the way the Australian Turf Club’s proposal to develop the land at Rosehill Gardens was handled by the Minns government, succeeded on Wednesday in setting up an upper house inquiry into the mooted sale.

The coalition voted with the Greens, Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst, One Nation’s Tania Mihailuk, and independents Mark Latham and Rod Roberts

Labor opposed setting up the probe with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers, Libertarian MP John Ruddick, and Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham.

A parliamentary inquiry will be held into the proposed sale of Rosehill Gardens. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The upper house voted in favour of the inquiry 21 votes to 18.

The inquiry will examine the unsolicited proposal process, the government’s involvement prior to the proposal being made, as well as how it will affect areas including NSW’s housing targets, the Sydney Metro projects, the NSW racing industry and a range of other issues.

The NSW Opposition, led by Mark Speakman, successfully pushed for the inquiry in parliament on Wednesday. Picture: Nikki Short

The Minns government has publicly backed the sale of the racecourse. Picture: Gaye Gerard

The parliamentary inquiry is unlikely to have any impact on the ultimate decision.

The ATC’s proposal to sell Rosehill and secure its future while at the same time providing Sydney with 25,000 desperately needed homes was welcomed by Chris Minns, who at the time called the venture a “once in a generation” opportunity.

The Rosehill site could host up to 25,000 homes if its proposed sale goes ahead. Picture: Jeremy Ng

Under the plan, the Australian Turf Club would sell the land to developers, for an expected windfall worth up to $5b.

ATC chair Peter McGauran has argued that the sale would set up the racing industry in NSW for decades to come.

Under the plan, racing operations would be moved from Rosehill elsewhere – with a new racecourse developed at another site, possibly the brick pit at Sydney Olympic Park.