Legislative change to open up public reserve at Caulfield Racecourse

SPORTING clubs and the community look set to benefit from legislation being considered to change management of the Caulfield Racecourse.

State Government legislation looks set to change the way the public reserve at Caulfield Racecourse is accessed by the public.

Opening up the Caulfield Racecourse public reserve to the community is now closer to reality after the Legislative Assembly green-lighted a bill last Thursday.

The legislation means the 54-hectare public reserve inside the racecourse could now have sporting teams playing on it next year, Caulfield state Liberal MP David Southwick said.

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“It’s very important that while racing is a key part of the future of Caulfield Racecourse, there needs to be a fair balance to allow community use of the open space,” he said.

“At least 20 or 30 sporting clubs have been forced to play outside Glen Eira. There’s now the unique opportunity to have sport played in the middle of the reserve.”

Mr Southwick said it was likely the legislation would also be supported in the upper house, the Legislative Council.

A relieved Glen Eira Mayor Mary Delahunty said meaningful reform of the racecourse land had been held up for too many years by “vested interests”.

“It’s a massive win for the community, it looks very promising,” she said.

Cr Delahunty said Glen Eira had an extraordinary shortage of public space and opening the reserve would make a difference to the community.

Currently, public access to the land is restricted to certain times of the day.

In 2014 the Victorian Auditor General recommended overhauling the management of Caulfield Racecourse Reserve, and improving public access and recreational facilities.

The current legislation change was recommended in 2016 by a bi-partisan working group.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said recently the proposed changes would improve governance.

Ms D’Ambrosio said the new independent body taking over management of the site would ensure the landmark site was used for the purposes it was originally reserved - “a racecourse, and for public recreation and open space”.

Mr Southwick and Cr Delahunty both expressed confidence that the new directors to be appointed would have business skills and be community-minded.

However, Mr Southwick said it was disappointing the government had not been able to negotiate a new lease with the Melbourne Racing Club – instead leaving it to the new directors.

MRC racing department general manager Jake Norton said they backed the new framework.

“We have completely supported the process all along,” he said.