Wyong Race Club redevelopment: business leaders vow to challenge plan

A group of Wyong regional business leaders have accused Wyong Race Club of a selfish grab for “free land” as the feud over a $6 million redevelopment intensifies.

A feud continues over the eviction of community organisations from Wyong Race Club land.

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A group of Wyong regional business leaders have accused Wyong Race Club of a selfish grab for “free land” as the feud over a $6 million redevelopment intensifies.

The Central Coast Express Advocate reported last year that Australia’s oldest poultry club and the local Volunteer Rescue Association had been told to leave the site to make way for the proposed expansion.

VRA Central Coast Rescue captain Anthony Bliim, Central Coast Poultry president Warwick Saunders and Wyong Lions Colin Slack in front of their buildings on Rose St, Wyong. Picture: AAP /Sue Graham.

The two community-based organisations, which have occupied sites on the former Wyong Agricultural Grounds — now the Wyong Race Club — since 1906 and 1980 respectively, had their leases terminated.

At that time, Wyong Race Club CEO David Jewell said there was “no question” the title of the land belonged to the club. He said while the sheds did not belong to the race club, they were on its land and would have to go.

Following a meeting just before Christmas, the local business group decided to speak out about their concerns about the eviction of the community organisations.

They have sought legal advice and intend to challenge the Race Club’s plans.

Concerned business leaders group spokesman Mark Hoddinott.

Group spokesman Mark Hoddinott insists the land used by Wyong Race Club was itself granted for community use by district pioneer Albert Warner.

He said while the management of the land had changed over the years from individuals to organisations, it had mostly been vested in the former Wyong Agricultural Sociaety on behalf of the community.

“In approx. 1989, that trust obligation transferred to the Wyong Race Club as part of a merger of the two organisations however the intent and purpose of that gift of community land has in recent years been shown to be a grab of free land by the Race Club to the exclusion of the broader community,” Mr Hoddinott said.

Racing at Wyong Race Club. Picture: Peter Clark

“Over a century of use of the land has seen multiple community organisations use the land both permanently and on an ad hoc basis in evidence of the community trust that existed for its care and use,” he said.

“In addition in recent years despite being a trustee for the community land the Wyong Race Club sold a parcel of it to the RMS and kept the proceeds solely for the use of the Race Club.

“Of course, the Race Club is an important participant on the land for the town of Wyong and has a considerable investment in assets there but that does not mean they own the land for their sole benefit.

Wyong Race Club CEO David Jewell insists Wyong Race Club owns the disputed land. Picture Waide Maguire.

“They are preferring their self interest over the obligation to use the land for the community as whole, as has always been the way until recent years.

“This is a selfish grab for a community asset and the Wyong Community is not going to sit by idly and watch this occur without challenge” concluded Mr Hoddinott.

“We have sought legal advice on the matter and we are advised that our claims are justified.”