The discussion regarding the proposed sale of Rosehill Racecourse continued on Monday evening with the Parramatta City Council debating a proposal to heritage list Rosehill Gardens to prevent its sale for urban development under a memorandum of understanding between the ATC and the state government.
In a lengthy meeting that extended over two hours on Monday evening, the Parramatta City Council engaged in a robust debate over the future of the Rosehill Racecourse. The discussions revolved around a proposal to heritage list the iconic racecourse, an initiative aimed at safeguarding it from being sold for urban development.
Despite the passionate appeals from councillors, industry participants, and locals, the motion to heritage list Rosehill Racecourse was ultimately overturned. Instead, an amended motion was adopted, focusing on initiating dialogue with the state government concerning the proposed metro station adjacent to the racecourse.
Councillors voiced concerns over what they termed as the "irresponsible and premature" approach towards the racecourse's sale, pointing out the ambiguity and mixed messaging regarding the number of dwellings that such a sale could yield. The need for more detailed information before further discussions could proceed was a recurrent theme throughout the evening.
The council also highlighted its limited role in the matter, noting that the sale of the land falls under the purview of a private commercial transaction between the ATC and the state government.
“Horse racing is a unique industry and a huge provider of employment; the Rosehill racecourse is a massive economic contributor to the region by expenditure and jobs,” Waller stated.
“Horse racing is a unique industry and a huge provider of employment; the Rosehill racecourse is a massive economic contributor to the region by expenditure and jobs.” - Chris Waller
He likened the community gatherings at race meetings to those in Sydney’s Hyde Park, emphasising the racecourse’s role in bringing together people of all ages, genders, nationalities, and religions.
Waller urged the ATC to engage more closely with the City of Parramatta Council and the broader community, highlighting the venue's potential as an extensive exhibition centre. He also suggested that “there are other areas around the racecourse that can be utilised better, so I see a partial sale as a positive outcome for the club.”
Next step, back to Members
While this evening’s decision to turf the proposal to heritage list Rosehill racecourse might seem like a blow to the industry’s fight to protect one of its most valuable assets, the decision now ultimately lies with the ATC members. Former ATC chair Matthew McGrath was quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald on the eve of the council meeting suggesting that if prominent trainers such as Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller maintained their fierce opposition, the deal would struggle to pass.
“They might get 2000 voting. But I think the silent majority will vote ‘no’. The silent members are the problem, not the noisy ones,” McGrath said.
“The silent members are the problem, not the noisy ones.” - Matthew McGrath
The council meeting also touched on the broader issue of the housing crisis in the area, with the Camellia-Rosehill Place strategy, adopted in August 2022, being discussed as a potential framework to address the crisis by providing up to 20,000 new homes.
In the wake of the meeting, the council plans to further engage with the ATC, the NSW Premier, and other relevant stakeholders, emphasising the importance of integrating the proposed metro station into the broader urban development strategy to ensure the economic vitality of the Parramatta region.
The future of Rosehill Racecourse, established in 1885 and recognised as a vital part of Australia's racing heritage, now stands at a crossroads.
