Rosehill Racecourse redevelopment rejected by Australian Turf Club members

The contentious ‘once in a generation’ plan involved turning the track into thousands of homes, and having a rail link built nearby.

Australian Turf Club members say no to Rosehill Racecourse redevelopment.

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Members of the Australian Turf Club have rejected the NSW government’s $5bn bid for Rosehill Racecourse, stymieing Premier Chris Minns’ plan to supercharge Sydney’s housing supply.

The deal which would have seen 25,000 homes and a new metro station built on the racecourse, touted by the Premier as a “once in a generation” opportunity, fell over when put to the 11,000-strong ATC rank and file on Tuesday afternoon.

The Premier said while he accepted the decision of ATC members, the result felt like “a golden opportunity that has slipped through our fingers”.

“The closeness of the result makes it more difficult to take, not easier,” he said.

Mr Minns also flagged alternative proposals to “roll out more housing closer to Sydney CBD”, in light of the rejection of his 25,000 home proposal.

“They’re not ready for me to announce today, and not everyone will love them, but they’re absolutely necessary,” he said. “We should be taking more risk when it comes to housing … We’ve been far too timid for far too long.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns. Picture: Nikki Short

The plan hatched by the Premier and Australian Turf Club (ATC) chair Peter McGauran in December 2023 was framed as a centrepiece of the government’s plan to reach its ambitious housing targets while future proofing the racing industry.

Despite promises of $1000 food and drink vouchers for members for the next five years, plans to turn Warwick Farm into a replacement Group 1 track and a new “lifestyle club” at Randwick, the ATC membership remained unconvinced by the proposal.

Mr McGauran said he while he and the 44 per cent of members who supported the move were “personally disappointed”, he respected the club’s decision.

ATC members arrive at Randwick Racecourse to vote on the Rosehill Racecourse sale proposal. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“The funding would have transformed the entire racing industry for the next 100 years,” he said.

“Members decided against it … I always saw it is an opportunity to completely change and modernise in the face of declining attendance (and) declining membership.”

ATC member and horse owner Dennis Skinner said while proceedings were largely respectful there was some “real sentiment from the no camp”.

“If the rank and file vote the way I did the answer will be a resounding no,” he told the media pack outside the Winx stand at Randwick racecourse.

TC chairman Peter McGauran holding a press conference at Royal Randwick Racecourse after members voted no to the sale of Rosehill Racecourse. Picture: Jonathan Ng

While the majority rejected the proposal, the margin was relatively slim with 56.1 per cent of members supporting a no vote.

Several members arriving just before the vote at 2pm demonstrated the membership’s division on the sale, expressing support for the proposal.

A 10-year turf club member told The Australian the deal was undoubtedly a positive move for Sydney’s housing market, but was unconvinced by the club’s plans for Warwick Farms.

“My intention is to vote yes … It’s so hard to get into the housing market these days … However I’m a bit sceptical about them getting 25,000 homes on this patch of land,” he said.

“Effectively replacing it (Rosehill) with Warwick Farm, which is in a pretty remote part of Sydney isn’t the most convincing argument … but it’ll put more pressure on (Randwick) racecourse.”

With the Premier’s pleas to back his government’s plans to develop the 57ha site falling flat at Tuesday’s meeting, Mr Minns now must look elsewhere to hit ambitious five-year housing targets.