‘Not a done deal’ – NSW premier puts Rosehill call firmly in ATC’s court

NSW premier Chris Minns said the future of the Rosehill racecourse was in the hands of the members of the Australian Turf Club, as he stepped back from the effusive support of the project he put forward when it was announced late last year.

In December, Minns claimed the possible redevelopment of Rosehill, which would result in the end of racing and training at the western Sydney racecourse by 2028, was a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity for NSW to help resolve Sydney’s housing woes.

He held a press conference with ATC chairman Peter McGauran where plans for a suburb of 25,000 dwellings, yielding a $5 billion windfall were announced, sending shockwaves through the thoroughbred industry.

But fronting a testy estimates hearing in the NSW parliament on Wednesday, Minns’ language on the Rosehill proposal was far more muted.

“I made that clear when I made that announcement … this was up to the ATC and the members of the ATC to decide, not the NSW government,” he said.

“It was important, I believed, to explain to the people of NSW that we were not only receptive, but open to the offer.”

But he was adamant that it wasn’t a decision for the government to make unless the ATC membership gave majority support.

“We see it as a real opportunity for Rosehill racecourse, for the ATC, for racing in the state, as well as housing, but that decision will have to be decided by members of the ATC,” he said.

“I said on the day, at the time when the announcement was made that this was not a done deal. This has to go through the ATC, and the NSW government has to be comfortable with the proposal, there are many things to be negotiated.”

In a fiery exchange, Minns was questioned by Liberal MP and Opposition Leader of the Upper House, Damien Tudehope, as to the unsolicited nature of the proposal.

Minns revealed the discussion about Rosehill’s future was first raised with him by Steve McMahon, Head of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations at the ATC. Minns said he had known McMahon for a long time, after Tudehope asked if the ATC executive was the Premier’s ‘mate’.

The cash or the track? A $5-billion deal too good for the ATC to ignore

A ‘once-in-a-century’ opportunity to inject nearly $5 billion of funds into the future of the racing industry proved irresistible to the Australian Turf Club, even though it means the closure of Rosehill racecourse after 150 years.

The StraightBren O’Brien

Minns said he couldn’t recall the exact date the conversation had taken place but it was “shortly before” the Rosehill announcement was made on December 8     

“I wouldn’t think that it would be outrageous that when you are in government, people come to you and say we’ve got an idea, we think this would be good for our organisation. They might make a pitch that it would be good for the state as well, would you consider it?” Minns said.

Significantly, Minns put on the table that “irreconcilable differences” could see the Rosehill project fail to get any further than the MOU signed with the ATC.

“I said on the day, at the time when the announcement was made that this was not a done deal. This has to go through the ATC, and the NSW government has to be comfortable with the proposal, there are many things to be negotiated” – NSW Premier Chris Minns

“There may well be, as part of the negotiations between the ATC and the government, irreconcilable differences particularly in relation to the disposal of property, the size of the rezoning, the density of housing, how much space is available …” he said.

“That may be a deal breaker for one or both of those sides but in fairness to the government, we made that clear when the announcement was made.”

The Rosehill issue has become highly political in recent weeks, with leading members of the thoroughbred industry including top trainers Chris Waller and Gai Waterhouse putting forward their opposition to the proposal.

‘Give yourself an uppercut’ – Chris Waller emphatically steps up against Rosehill closure

Champion trainer Chris Waller has led an extraordinary rebuke of the plans to develop and sell off Rosehill racecourse at a members’ forum meeting on Tuesday.

The StraightBren O’Brien

At an estimates hearing on Tuesday, independent MP Mark Latham questioned Minister For Sport, Stephen Kamper, and chief executive of the Office of Sport, Karen Jones, on the process around the proposed relocation of training facilities to Horsley Park.

He specifically asked Jones if she had had discussions with Waller about the Horsley Park proposal and claimed the leading trainer was prepared to move to Melbourne if that was the only option.

“From the Office of Sport’s point of view, we will follow the right process – the unsolicited proposal process – and we will consider the proposal once it’s tabled to us,” she said, not answering the Waller question specifically.  

She confirmed that would need to come via the Cabinet Office.

Reflecting on Rosehill’s Golden history

In five or so years, Rosehill Racecourse will be no more with this week’s announcement that the New South Wales government is buying the site for redevelopment.

The StraightJessica Owers