The Australian Turf Club has today welcomed the announcement by the Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Mike Baird of plans for a new light rail system for Parramatta, Camellia and the Olympic corridor.
Rosehill Gardens racecourse – the ATC’s premier racetrack in Western Sydney and home to the world’s richest race for two year olds the $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper – sits in the heart of the proposed light rail lines, which will pass from Parramatta to Homebush and Strathfield, along with a branch line to Camellia and suburbs in northwest Sydney.
The ATC has been part of a core group of Western Sydney businesses, Westline Partnership, which has been in consultation with the State Government, Transport for NSW and local council authorities on how best to fund light rail through key areas of the city’s west.
Over the past two years, the ATC also been developing its own masterplan – based around its core business of thoroughbred racing at Rosehill Gardens – to create a seven-day-a-week lifestyle and entertainment precinct around its land holdings around the racecourse.
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce said the new light rail project would place Rosehill Gardens – a world-class thoroughbred racing venue – at the centre of a new premium lifestyle and entertainment precinct.
The Club would continue to work with the State Government, Transport for NSW, and Parramatta City Council on getting the best project outcomes, benefiting from its experience with the City and South East Light Rail project at Royal Randwick.
“Light rail is the trigger for the necessary rezoning and planning consents that will pave the way for unprecedented development around Rosehill Gardens racecourse and the Camellia Peninsula, all in the heart of the economic powerhouse that is Western Sydney,” Mr Pearce said.
“Rosehill Gardens is our premier racing track in Western Sydney and we have major plans to grow it.
“The ATC has a masterplan that will involve multiple precincts comprising entertainment, lifestyle and leisure, and multi-storey commercial and residential spaces.
“There is no doubt that Camellia has past its use by date as an industrial area and the ATC will play a major part if shaping its future,
“We congratulate the government and with our business partners in Western Sydney we are ready and committed to unlocking the full potential of Rosehill Gardens.”
