Outrage over plans to shutter Rosehill Racecourse for new Metro West station and 25,000 new homes

Racing fans are up in arms over a plan to transform a historic racecourse into a metro station and 25,000 new homes.

The public have reacted to a bold plan to convert a major Sydney racecourse into a new metro station, entertainment precinct and space for up to 25,000 homes.

Rosehill Racecourse in the city’s west will be relocated to other properties owned by the Australian Turf Club (ATC), who approached the government with the idea.

Premier Chris Minns described the transformation as a “historic” moment in reshaping Sydney to deliver homes for future generations and transport links to connect the growing city.’

However members of the public, and in particular racing fans, have reacted poorly to the news, describing the proposed development as a “slum”.

“Converting the beautiful Rosehill Racecourse into a slum to solve @NSWLabor‘s self-inflicted housing crisis because they brought in a million migrants defines #Labor’s attitude,” one user posted to X - formerly known as Twitter.

“They hate Australia. They hate our culture. They hate our way of life. They want us to suffer.”

The NSW government has flagged a proposal that could convert Rosehill Racecourse into a sprawling mini city. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ James Gourley

“If this were Canterbury or Warwick Farm, I could definitely understand this business decision. But the fact it’s Rosehill that is likely to be sold saddens me,” a second X user wrote, adding that they are an ATC member.

“Getting rid of Rosehill racecourse. It’s the writing on the wall for [horses],” a third said.

Mr Minns told reporters on Thursday morning: “We cannot have a situation like we’ve had for the last decade where we’ve had no major new infrastructure and virtually no new housing”.

“For the first time we’re getting it right, putting the two together and ensuring where dollars are being spent by the government on behalf of taxpayers, its money well spent for the future of this city.”

Mr Minns said the Metro West rail line is already the “most expensive capital works project of any jurisdiction in the country” at $25 billion invested to date.

The decision to transform Rose Hill racecourse was made because over the course of its 100 year history as a racing track, it has become one of the last parcels of land in Sydney that remains uncontaminated from industrial waste.

“It’s for that reason why this makes a lot of sense in terms of turning land into housing and open space and recreational space in a short period of time,” Mr Minns said.

While the ATC will retain the site, funds from the major development are estimate to inject up to $5bn into Sydney’s racing industry, including avenues like racing, training and infrastructure facilities, and stabling venues.

Sydney Metro West alignment map. Picture: Supplied

Although the plan will now be subjected to the government’s unsolicited proposal process, the ATC have already signed a memorandum of understanding.

Revenue from the development would be invested into a new training Centre of Excellence at Horsley Park, while a site at Warwick Farm will also be developed into a new track, including a full rebuild of training, stabling and spectator facilities.

A redevelopment of the Canterbury Park Racecourse, and an expansion of the stables and training facilities at the Royal Randwick Racecourse have also been flagged.

Mr Minns described the proposal as a “once in a generation opportunity” that would secure the future of racing in NSW, and build more housing.

“The Government sees this as an opportunity to put its money where its mouth is and build more housing, close to transport links, with plenty green space for new families,” he said on Wednesday,“This is exactly the type of proposal my government has been talking about over the last 6 months.

NSW Premier Chris Minns called it a ‘once in a generation opportunity’. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Gaye Gerard

“The fact is we have a housing crisis – we aren’t building enough homes. The more supply we have, the more we can drive down cost of living pressures, whether it’s for renters or those wanting to buy their own home.”

ATC Chairman Peter McGauran said it was a huge investment for the future of racing in Sydney.

“This future-proofs Sydney racing for a century to come,’’ Mr McGauran said.

“It will cement Sydney racing as the best, most modern and financially secure jurisdiction anywhere in the world.’’

Metro West’s future confirmed 

The announcement also cements the future of the Metro West metro line, which had been in limbo until Thursday.

While construction started on the metro line had begun in 2020, Mr Minns had previously clouded the feasibility of the project due to budget blowouts of at least $12bn.

Thursday’s announcement will also push the scheduled opening of the project by at least two years until 2032.

Sydney Metro has also been directed by the government to complete scoping studies for up to two new stations to be constructed between Sydney Olympic Park and Parramatta.

Currently the confirmed stations on the 24km line include: Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays, Pyrmont and Hunter Street in the Sydney CBD.

The placement of the two new stations will depend on their ability to increase urban infill housing, as the state rushes to deliver Commonwealth-set targets of 75,000 new homes by 2029.

Rosehill Racecourse will make way for a new mini city. Picture: Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images

The government will also release its highly-anticipated Sydney Metro Independent Review, conducted independently by Amanda Yeates and Mike Mrdak. The review will also endorse the potential of a metro station at Rosehill, and recommend the government implement a property and placemaking strategy on existing lines to ensure it can meet its housing supply priorities.

Coinciding with the tranche of announcements is also a commitment from the government to investigate more transport links within Metro West stations, like rapid buses.

The initiative was another recommendation made by the review, with Sydney Metro now tasked with preparing a rapid assessment to create new bus connections within the catchment areas.

Although the decision will be subject to a future investment decision, the aim would be to have the routes operational when Metro West opens.

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the revised Metro West vision would reducing crowding at train stations in Strathfield, Redfern and Burwood by 30 per cent.

“Our review into Metro projects delivers Sydney an improved version of Metro West. It’s a new

project for the whole of Sydney, building more housing and doubling rail capacity between the

Parramatta and Sydney CBDs,” she said.

“It won’t just mean a new Metro service, it means better train services for Western Sydney too, including in the outer west and Blue Mountains on the T1 Western line.”