Proposal to remove Thoroughbred Park, Canberra, racetrack revealed

A proposal to ditch horseracing in the nation’s capital felt akin to a ‘hostile takeover’ for its racing chief as a Melbourne Cup Day ‘surprise’ continues to whip up mass confusion.

Canberra’s top racing chief has described the “surprise” proposal to ditch horseracing in the nation’s capital like the “hostile takeover” of a company.

The proposal to demolish the city’s only horse racing track has caused confusion and whipped up controversy.

The draft strategy released on Melbourne Cup Day included two proposals for Thoroughbred Park, one proposal where the racetrack was retained and another where it was removed.

Canberra Racing Club chief executive Darren Pearce said the plan to remove the race track was a “total surprise”.

“It felt akin to being a company in the middle of an AGM and getting a tap on the shoulder that a hostile takeover had been launched,” he said.

“There were a lot of employees of the club and racing industry participants who had a sleepless night worrying about what (this plan) meant for them, their careers, their businesses and their families.”

A map depicting proposed development at Thoroughbred Park, Lyneham, if the racetrack were removed. Picture: ACT Government

The Draft Inner-North and City District Strategy in the ACT’s Territory Plan has sparked a passionate response from all sides of government too.

In the proposal to remove the racetrack, a map depicting the park includes an extension of Sullivan’s Creek which would divide the site.

The map depicts parkland and residential development on both sides of the creek.

Mr Pearce said his concern dissipated when Chief Minister Andrew Barr clarified the purpose of the plan.

A statement from the ACT government said it was “not a plan to end horse racing” but was an option in case the Canberra Racing Club left Thoroughbred Park.

Canberra Racing Club chief executive Darren Pearce said the plan to remove the race track was a “total surprise” Picture: Supplied

“The ACT government signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with the Canberra Racing Club earlier this year,” the statement said.

“The racetrack will remain at the current site in Lyneham for as long as Canberra Racing Club wish to stay there.”

However ACT opposition spokesman for gaming and racing Mark Parton described the plan as a “utter disgrace” and described the ACT’s Labor-Green government as “two faced”.

“What we see here is clear proof that the ACT is genuinely staring down the barrel of being the only jurisdiction in Australia without horse racing,” Mr Parton said.

“Labor and the Greens have now put forward their intention to stop racing in the ACT to develop the land at Thoroughbred Park to help pay for the tram.”

“This is not how consultation works and to release a very clear plan to end racing in the ACT on Melbourne Cup day is cruel.

“The race club has been completely blindsided by this when they are busy putting on a Melbourne Cup race day and once again the ACT Greens are dictating terms to the Labor Party on this matter.”

Canberra Liberals MLA Mark Parton has slammed a proposed plan to remove Canberra’s only racetrack. Picture: Facebook

ACT Attorney General and Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said despite the party’s criticism of horseracing, the proposed plan to remove the racetrack did not originate from the ACT Greens.

“We understand this idea is based on a position put by Canberra Racing Club that include future scenarios where they are not viable,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“In response, the Planning Agency has developed this possible option.”

Support for horse racing has long been a fault line within ACT’s Labor-Greens coalition.

When the ACT Budget was released in August, Mr Rattenbury openly criticised a $41m horse racing subsidy.

“This is not the exact budget that the Greens would deliver if we were in a Greens‑led government,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“We work in a power-sharing, collaborative government that involves debate and compromise.”

Members of the Canberra Liberals have seen this conflict as a sign the ACT government is in “a shambles”.

In August, Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee moved an ultimately unsuccessful motion of no-confidence against Chief Minister Andrew Barr over concerns about the stability of the Labor-Greens coalition following Mr Rattenbury’s comments.

“Once and for all the Greens need to make a choice, are they members of cabinet or are they a cross bench?” Ms Lee said in August.

“You can’t have it both ways.”