Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould leads push to poach Australian Turf Club as part of Rosehill racecourse rezoning plan

A Sydney mayor is leading a push to poach the Australian Turf Club from its long term home as part of a multi-billion plan to rezone the Rosehill racecourse into high-rise housing.

A Sydney mayor is leading a push to poach the Australian Turf Club from its long term home as part of a multi-billion plan to rezone the Rosehill racecourse into high-rise housing.

Wollondilly mayor Matthew Gould is calling on the Australian Turf Club and NSW Premier Chris Minns to consider the “feasibility and benefits” of relocating the turf club’s equine facilities to the green pastures of the southwest Sydney region which he says are “perfectly positioned” to benefit from the potential closure of Rosehill.

His calls have been prompted by current NSW Government plans to acquire and transform the Rosehill racecourse into a housing and entertainment development.

The proposal – aimed at meeting Sydney’s housing shortage – could see up to 25,000 homes built on the historic racing track.

Mr Gould said the Wollondilly region was “ideally placed” to house facilities such as a dedicated racetrack or stables that could be relocated if the sale proceeds.

Premier Chris Minns announced the proposal at Rosehill racecourse in December.

“The shire has a very long history with the equine industry, we have ample land for it, a lot of trainers are based here and we have a strong harness racing industry in the shire as well,” he said.

“It sits well with the rural living ethos that we push and I feel it’s also a way for council to do its bit towards addressing the housing crisis by providing a site for an alternative facility

“We have large amounts of rural land that could used for it including in the Menangle corridor and the proximity we have to the new Western Sydney Airport also makes us perfectly positioned.”

Mr Gould’s push has been backed by locally-based horse trainers and Olympic show jumper Shane Rose – who made international headlines over his recent mankini costume choice at a Southern Highlands equestrian event.

Wollondilly mayor Matt Gould.

Mr Gould says the shire could benefit from the proposed sale.

“We have a big horse racing industry in the shire and it’d be great for the area because we don’t have any racing facility in the shire at the moment,” he said.

The proposed sale – reported to be worth upwards of $5 million – remains under consideration by the turf club and is contingent on the final vote of approval by members.

Since the proposal was announced in December, several high profile club identities have spoken out about the potential closure of Rosehill including famed trainer Gai Waterhouse who labelled the proposition a “disgrace”.

A spokesman for the Australian Turf Club said the club remains “committed” in its consideration of the proposal and was to work closely with the NSW government in the process.

The Rosehill racecourse has been earmarked for new housing.

At the time of the announcement in December, it was suggested the turf club would seek to use the proceeds of the sale to fund upgrades to existing racecourses at Warwick Farm and Royal Randwick and potentially create a new horse training centre of excellence at Horsley Park.

Mr Gould, however, says he will continue to push for Wollondilly Shire to be considered in the conversation.

“If we don’t put the option forward it’s never going to happen,” he said.

“In an ideal world it would be great to have a racecourse, but we’ve also got the ability to be able to host stable facilities as well.

“It would be a great drawcard for the region and certainly in terms of tourism, it would be a great way to show off the shire.”

The proposed sale is under consideration by the ATC.

Mr Gould said poaching the club could involve the club investing into a new facility or investigating available leases on crown land if permitted.

The Turf Club said it was currently not in a position to comment on the proposal.

Premier Chris Minns, speaking at a parliamentary budget estimates hearing last week, said he was committed to the Rosehill proposal but conceded there may be “irreconcilable differences” between turf club and government relating to the size of the rezoning, how much open space is available and access to public transport.

“We see it as a real opportunity for Rosehill racecourse, for the ATC, for racing in the state, as well as housing, but that decision will have to be decided by members of the ATC, not the NSW government,” Mr Minns said.