Racing NSW has abruptly stepped in at the last minute to postpone the 3 April vote on the potential sale of Sydney’s historic Rosehill Racecourse.
The racing regulator announced on Friday it had instructed the Australian Turf Club (ATC) to delay the vote until 12 May, following concerns “insufficient” information has been given to members about voting.
“This decision follows concerns raised by members of the ATC and industry participants that the information that has been provided by the ATC is insufficient (both in respect of the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ positions) to enable them to make a properly informed decision on the proposed resolutions,” it stated.
“The potential sale of Rosehill Racecourse represents a matter of significant strategic importance with long-term implications for the entire racing industry. It is essential that any such decision is made on the basis of full and accurate information.”
Under the Thoroughbred Racing Act and the Totalizator Act, the ATC “must comply” with the Racing NSW directions.
The regulator’s intervention comes less than week before the ATC was due to hold an extraordinary general meeting to vote on whether to push ahead with a proposal to sell the historic site to the NSW government for at least $5 billion over 15 years to make way for 25,000 new homes.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Save Rosehill, the main group of ATC members who oppose the sale, said it was “urgently seeking legal advice on whether the decision by Racing NSW and the ATC to postpone the vote is valid”.
Online voting has been underway since mid-March, and many ATC members have already cast their votes. According to the group, the delay is “a clear attempt to ignore the majority who voted ‘no’ and a clear deprivation of members’ rights”.
“It has been consistently stated at all levels that any decision about Rosehill Gardens is to be decided by the members of the Australian Turf Club,” the group’s spokesperson said.
ATC said members will now receive “further information” on the vote regarding Rosehill Gardens following further discussions with Racing NSW.
Have the ‘Powers That Be’ even considered relocating the proposed 25,000 Rosehill dwellings onto land yet to be designated for building the replacement track.