Accused firebug Travis Bird to argue mental impairment over Caulfield Racecourse fire

The man accused of torching part of Caulfield Racecourse is seeking mental impairment as a defence as the Melbourne Racing Club looks to reopen the famous old stand for the spring carnival.

Travis Bird appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court where he will argue mental impairment after being accused of torching a grandstand at Caulfield Racecourse. Picture: Facebook.

The man accused of torching a heritage-listed grandstand at the Caulfield Racecourse is seeking a mental impairment as a defence, a court has heard.

Travis Bird, 51, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday accused of torching part of the Caulfield Racecourse and damaging a nearby Jewish community centre.

The grandstand Mr Bird is accused of torching is the Norman Robinson Stand, a heritage-listed building valued at $1m.

Smoke rises from the Norman Robinson Stand after Travis Bird allegedly set the heritage-listed grandstand alight. Picture: 9NEWS

The alleged break-in at the Shtiebel community centre in Caulfield East was not believed to be religiously motivated.

Mr Bird also travelled to Caulfield South and allegedly set fire to two bins and a tricycle, as well as a bag and trailer in Caulfield East.
He then travelled to Aspendale where it is alleged he started a grassfire before he was arrested at Mordialloc railway station.

Travis Bird is accused of torching the Norman Robinson stand at Caulfield Racecourse. Picture: Facebook.

The court heard Mr Bird, who is facing nine charges, will have an appointment with Dr Clare McInnerney to be assessed for mental impairment.

Mr Bird has met the criteria for mental impairment in the past.

Magistrate Leon Fluxman ordered the release of Mr Bird’s hospital records from Albury-Wodonga, The Alfred and Royal Melbourne Hospital to help with Dr McInerney’s assessment.

The damage to the Norman Robinson stand was considerable, but restoration is well underway.

In a video posted to X on Monday night, Melbourne Racing Club chairman John Kanga said the 1876 bar was “coming back to life”.

Destroyed 🔥1876 Bar coming back to life⁦@MelbRacingClub⁩ ⁦@Racing⁩ ⁦@SEN_track⁩ ⁦@RSN927⁩ pic.twitter.com/ONUhZU7V1C

— Kanga (@johnkanga) March 31, 2025

An MRC spokeswoman told The Herald Sun they aim to have the Norman Robinson stand “revitalised” and will hopefully be reopened for the 2025 spring carnival.
Mr Bird, of Wangaratta, will return to court on July 15.