NSW Premier Chris Minns remains fully committed to the concept of turning Rosehill racecourse into a suburb for 25,000 homes, despite the concerns raised in a parliamentary committee inquiry this week.
Key racing figures, including top trainers Chris Waller, Gai Waterhouse and John O’Shea, have detailed their disapproval of the idea of closing Rosehill in either written or in-person submissions at the Select Committee on the Proposal To Develop Rosehill Racecourse.
Waterhouse’s submission at the first day of public hearings on Monday was particularly significant given her public profile. Among her commentary, she expressed her outright opposition to the sale of Rosehill and called on an immediate member vote on the issue.
Minns, who described the Rosehill proposal as a “once-in-generation opportunity” when he and ATC chairman Peter McGauran announced it last December, reiterated that view when speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Tuesday.
“I've got respect for Gai Waterhouse and other trainers that gave evidence yesterday. I think this is a great opportunity both for racing and the Sydney area, particularly western Sydney,” Minns said.
“We need more affordable housing. It's one of the only pieces of land left. And there's an opportunity to put a brand new Metro line, major open space and new housing in a part of Sydney that desperately needs it.”
Minns noted that Waterhouse does not train out of Rosehill. The Premier did, however, agree with her that the decision should go back to the ATC members.
“I've got to make the point, it's up to members of the ATC. It's not up to the NSW government. They're going to have to make the decision,” he said.
Warwick Barr
Minns said the government was determined to pursue its Metro West project, regardless of whether the Rosehill proposal, which has passed the first stage of the approval process, was part of it.
“We appreciate that this is a member-led organisation. They're going to have to have a vote on it eventually. But from the perspective of the government, we're putting in the Metro West line,” he said.
“It’ll cost $26 billion. We're considering putting an extra Metro station at Rosehill. And as a result of that, the value of the land rapidly increases.
“If we put the train line in and don't put a Metro station in, the value of the land won't be worth as much.
“So that's the long way of saying this is a genuine once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a decision. The money would be reinvested back into the ATC and racing in NSW.”
Bren O’Brien
Just how any influx of money into the racing industry would be managed was the subject of discussion at the Select Committee. So, too was the role and conduct of Racing NSW and its long-term CEO Peter V’landys.
That subject wasn’t addressed by the Premier on Tuesday.
The Straight put questions to Racing Minister David Harris about the Select Committee inquiry and the questions raised over Racing NSW’s conduct, but he declined to comment.
Bren O’Brien
