Racecourse Crown land control prompts more questions for state government 

Racing Minister David Harris has acknowledged concerns about Racing NSW controlling racecourses while overseeing the industry, revealing the issue has been raised with him separately from the Hazzard review.

The issue arose during budget estimates when independent MP Mark Latham questioned Harris about five Crown land leases transferred to Racing NSW.

Harris told the hearing negotiations over the leases pre-dated Labor’s election victory in 2023, although the final decision was made after the government took office.

“Whilst the final decision was made in government, the department may have been consulted, but I wasn’t directly consulted on any Crown land leases,” he said.

The five venues are Port Macquarie, Inverell, Coffs Harbour, Queanbeyan and Armidale, with Racing NSW appointed Crown land manager of the reserves.

The arrangements give the regulator responsibility for the care, control and management of the sites, adding a property function to its existing responsibilities across the industry.

Racing NSW’s management of Crown land is under scrutiny because of an ongoing dispute over leasing agreements with on-course stable owners.

Latham questioned whether that created a conflict for an organisation that regulates racing while also controlling racecourses.

Harris said the concern was among the issues the government is considering, noting the Thoroughbred Racing Act had not undergone a statutory review since 2014.

“I think that’s part of what we’re having a look at is whether the current legislation remains relevant,” he said.

The government commissioned former Liberal minister Brad Hazzard to conduct the review, which was handed to Harris in July and is now before cabinet.

Harris would not disclose whether Hazzard had addressed Racing NSW’s property interests or the potential overlap between its regulatory and commercial functions.

“That’s subject to cabinet confidentiality, so I can’t say what’s in or not in the report,” Harris said.

The Crown land arrangements are not the first time Racing NSW has sought a greater role in racing property.

The organisation has previously advocated greater industry control of land used exclusively for thoroughbred racing, while it has identified property acquisition as a means of protecting important racing and training assets in what it terms a “future-proofing” move.

That has included property around major training centres, including its most recent purchase, the state-of-the-art stables Crown Lodge, from racing power Godolphin’s Australian arm for a reported $28 million.

Harris said concerns about Racing NSW’s Crown land responsibilities had emerged independently of the Hazzard review. 

“Outside of the report, it has been raised separately with me,” he said.

As recently as June, the government reappointed Racing NSW as Crown land manager of the Queanbeyan Racecourse Reserve.

The Queanbeyan arrangement was reviewed after concerns raised by board members in 2023 were found not to have been properly addressed by the state department responsible for approving the application. 

In the past decade, Racing NSW has secured freehold titles over the Scone, Moruya and Goulburn racecourses.