A vote on a proposal to develop Sydney’s historic Rosehill Gardens racecourse for housing will be postponed after the sport’s governing body intervened.
The future of the 140-year-old racecourse has been the subject of fierce debate since the NSW government reached a 2023 agreement with owner the Australian Turf Club to potentially redevelop the western Sydney site.
Under the plan, the land would be sold to developers to build more than 25,000 homes, with the proceeds – potentially worth up to $5 billion – funnelled into other racing, training and stabling venues.
But some turf club members have opposed the sale with the backing of high-profile trainers like Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller.
The proposal was due to go to a member vote on April 3, but Racing NSW said late on Friday that it had directed the club to push back the vote until May 12.
The direction was sparked by concerns among ATC members and industry participants that information from the turf club on the vote was insufficient “both in respect of the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ positions”, it said.
“It is essential that any such decision is made on the basis of full and accurate information,” Racing NSW said in a statement.
The ATC said on its website that it “must comply” with the direction, “pursuant to the Thoroughbred Racing Act and the Totalizator Act”.
“Members will receive further information on the vote regarding Rosehill Gardens following further discussions with Racing NSW,” it said.
Save Rosehill, a community group opposed to the sale, said it was urgently seeking legal advice on whether the postponement was valid.
“Many members have already voted – we view this move as a clear attempt to ignore the majority who voted ‘no’ and a clear deprivation of members rights. We’ll provide further updates soon,” a group spokesperson told AAP.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that the NSW government would be given the option to buy the racecourse in a last-ditch effort by the club to advance the redevelopment, which Premier Chris Minns has called a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Proceeds from the potential sale, which the club wants paid in instalments over 15 years, would be poured into expanding stables and training facilities at other racing sites in Sydney.
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