NSW government approves initial proposal to sell Rosehill Racecourse for housing

The Australian Turf Club will begin work on progressing a housing proposal for Rosehill, although plans for a new racecourse at Homebush have hit an environmental hurdle.

A “shy” and “secretive” bird called the Latham’s Snipe has emerged as the latest obstacle to plans for a new racecourse at Sydney Olympic Park.

The small migratory bird, which inhabits the wetlands of the historic brick pit, is understood to have been raised as an issue for consideration, along with the endangered green and golden bell frog.

However, the Australian Turf Club – which has engaged consultants to examine the site – believes its plans will not impact either species given the proposed track will go around the wetlands.

The Minns government has approved an initial proposal by the Australian Turf Club to sell Rosehill Racecourse for housing as plans for a new track at Homebush gain momentum.

The Saturday Telegraph can reveal Cabinet recently approved the ATC’s initial submission and preliminary assessment of the sale, which is contained in an unsolicited proposal to the government.

The green light means the ATC can now begin the real work in progressing its vision as part of Stage 2 of the process with the government.

In a letter to members sent on Friday morning, the ATC chairman Peter McGauran said work could now begin on the development of a “detailed proposal” as part of Stage 2 of the process, with Stage 3 being the negotiation of a final binding offer.

An artist’s impression of a housing proposal at Rosehill Racecourse.

However, progression to Stage 2 did not “guarantee” the proposal would proceed to Stage 3, he warned.

“Further to my previous communications, I am writing to advise that the NSW Government has accepted Stage 1 ‘initial submission and preliminary assessment’ of our proposal in relation to Rosehill Gardens,” he wrote.

“Stage 2 involves the ATC working with members, stakeholders, and the NSW Government to develop a Detailed Proposal for further consideration.

“Please note that progression to Stage 2 does not guarantee that the ATC’s proposal will proceed to Stage 3 (negotiation of final binding offer) of the process. The outcome of Stage 2 may be that either the NSW Government or ATC determines that the Detailed Proposal should not be accepted.”

An artist’s impression of the housing proposal.

Mr McGauran said members would be given “all the facts” before being asked to vote on the proposal later this year.

While the government is focused on Rosehill, the ATC has begun preliminary work in assessing the feasibility of Homebush as a potential new site for a racing track.

An initial proposal has been approved to sell Rosehill Racecourse for housing. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

While it is understood none of the enlisted consultants have completed their reports, the ATC has been told anecdotally that a track at the site of the green and golden bellfrogs “while challenging” and “expensive” was not impossible.

The government on Friday morning updated its unsolicited proposals website where it declared Rosehill has progressed to Stage 2 “where the organisation and NSW Government work together to develop a detailed proposal”.

Last December, the Australian Turf Club and NSW government announced a $5 billion proposal to sell Rosehill and use the land to build 25,000 new homes.

The proceeds of the sale would then be used to fund various racing industry projects including a new racetrack and provide the industry with long-term financial security.

But there is strong opposition to the proposal with the “Save Rosehill” lobby group formed to protest against the racecourse sell-off.

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