State Government moves to establish new body to manage Caulfield Racecourse Reserve

The future of Caulfield Racecourse Reserve is a step closer to being decided with the State Government moving to establish a new independent body to manage it.

Glen Eira Mayor Mary Delahunty at the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve. Picture: Chris Eastman

The future of the huge public reserve inside the Caulfield Racecourse is a step closer to being decided.

The 54-hectare reserve is nearly 15 times the size of the MCG, but critics say the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has restricted public access too much.

The MRC also pays peppercorn annual rent for the land that is well below commercial rates.

After years of complaints that racing interests dominate the reserve’s managing body, the State Government is now establishing a new independent body to manage it.

The government has introduced legislation in Parliament that, if passed, will bring it into line with other major Crown Land recreation precincts such as the MCG and the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

The move has been welcomed by Glen Eira Mayor Mary Delahunty.

“It has been a long time coming, but this is a massive step forward,” Cr Delahunty said.

She said it would allow the State Government to become the interim land manager, and begin new lease negotiations with Melbourne Racing Club.

“We might see some rent nearer to commercial returns,” she said.

“It will allow a pot of money to be stored up and allow funds to be spent on improving the precinct.”

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

Glen Eira has the least amount of open space per head of population in metropolitan Melbourne.

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 the proposed changes would improve governance.

“This new independent body will ensure this landmark site is managed for the purposes it was originally reserved – a racecourse, and for public recreation and open space,” she said.

Racing Minister Martin Pakula said the new arrangements would “ensure racing continues to thrive at Caulfield while allowing appropriate community use”.

MRC racing department general manager Jake Norton said they were looking forward to seeing the legislation.