The Australian Turf Club’s (ATC) vision to transform Rosehill Racecourse into a city-within-a-city is now a step closure to getting the green light, after the NSW Government agreed there is “sufficient interest to warrant further development.”
As of Friday, June 7, the unsolicited proposal has now progressed to Stage 2 of the process – meaning the ATC and NSW Government will now work together to develop a detailed proposal.
Revealed at the end of last year, the ATC’s initial proposal would see Rosehill Gardens be sold off and redeveloped into a mixed-use precinct, delivering up to 25,000 new dwellings to the region.
It would also see the development of a Centre of Excellence training and stabling facility at a site in Horsley Park, and upgrade its facilities at Warwick Farm, Canterbury Park and Royal Randwick racecourses.
The proposal also seeks to develop a potential new racetrack in metropolitan Sydney.
To enable this to happen, the ATC said it’s seeking the establishment of a Metro West station at Rosehill Gardens, support to identify a suitable location for a new racetrack and access to the necessary land at Horsley Park.
The NSW Government highlighted the potential public benefits of turning Rosehill Gardens into a new mixed-use precinct under the ATC’s plan.
“The proposal has the potential to deliver public benefits including a significant housing outcome in proximity to city centres and a major transport corridor,” the Stage 2 document said.
“A potential additional Metro station could improve connectivity and access to employment, health, education and community infrastructure.”
The proposal confirms the NSW Government has not agreed to the plan.
However, in its justification for progression to the next stage, the document said the proposal has the potential to align with key Government plans and priorities.
“ATC and its proposal are uniquely positioned to deliver a significant housing outcome in the manner proposed that responds to the Government’s priorities,” it said.
“The proposal has the potential to achieve a value for money outcome which will be confirmed through quantitative due diligence undertaken in Stage 2.”
A proposal specific Steering Committee is set to be established, comprising of representatives from relevant departments.
At the end of Stage 2, the Steering Committee will make a recommendation to the State Government on whether the proposal should proceed to Stage 3 of the unsolicited proposal process.
Stage 3 would involve the negotiation of a final binding offer between the ATC and NSW Government.
But opponents to the proposal are hoping to throw a wrench into the process, with the newly established Save Rosehill group looking to unite the racing industry and the greater western Syndey community against the sale of the site.
The campaign is supported by leaders in the racing industry including Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller, John O’Shea and Anthony Cummings.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.