31 July 2024

Greens off and running with plans for new 5000-home suburb on racetrack site

| Ian Bushnell
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Telstra Tower in background of Thoroughbred Park racecourse

The entirety of Thoroughbred Park should be developed for community benefit, the Greens say. Photo: Zen Photography.

The ACT Greens have released a concept master plan for a new suburb with up to 5000 homes and a school to be built on the 65-hectare Canberra racecourse site in the inner north.

The Greens are opposed to horse racing and ACT Government financial support for the Canberra Racing Club, which amounts to $40 million from 2022 to 2027.

In January, they called for the club to be turfed from Thoroughbred Park so the site could be developed for housing.

The club has its own advanced plans for developing sections of the site, proposing 3200 multi-unit homes, including social and affordable housing, a hotel and aged-care facilities. New stables and training facilities would be established on the track infield and facilities for racegoers refreshed.

The Greens, in an election-year pitch, have countered with a proposal on the entire site for 4200 to 5000 homes, including 540 public and community homes, a Common Ground social housing development and a retirement village.

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The Canberra Racing Club said it would not be in the community’s interest to abandon the club’s advanced master plan, developed over five years at significant cost, to pursue an ideologically charged concept plan in its infancy that would come at significant cost to the ACT taxpayer.

“The Greens quote the urgency of the need for housing supply and we agree that there is no greater harm than that of time wasted, so why would we abandon a plan in the home straight for one that hasn’t left the barriers?” CRC Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce said.

The Greens proposal would include a range of housing options, including six to eight-storey apartments alongside the light rail line, three to four-storey apartments near shared big gardens, and row houses, townhouses and terrace houses.

They say the new suburb would house about 10,000 people.

The Greens say they would negotiate a government purchase of the site or compulsorily acquire it on just terms, helping the club to move, possibly to NSW.

Infrastructure would include a new P-10 school and early learning centre, health facility, such as the Greens’ proposed free bulk-billed GP clinic, and a community hall, town square and art studio space.

There would also be shops, restaurants and commercial offices.

An environment community hub with subsidised rent would host services such as a repair cafe, recycling hub and community pantry.

The suburb would feature shared parks, community gardens, a microforest and a re-naturalised Sullivans Creek.

The Greens say the new suburb would be a fully walkable neighbourhood with pedestrian-oriented streets, as well as a walking and riding corridor.

Such a development would fully utilise the existing light rail stops opposite Exhibition Park and Phillip Avenue, they say.

illustration of proposed development

The Greens’ masterplan for a new suburb on Thoroughbred Park. Image: Munns Sly Moore Architects.

Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury said the ACT’s precious land needed to be used to maximum community benefit.

“But right now, horses have their own light rail stop while there’s a desperate need for more homes in central areas,” he said.

“The concept plans we’re releasing today lay out our vision for the current site of the racecourse, and it’s an example of our vision for the whole city: investing directly in public housing, connecting communities with great public transport, improving the health of the local environment and stopping endless urban sprawl.”

Mr Rattenbury accused Labor and the Liberals of wanting to allow the racing industry to make millions from luxury properties.

Mr Pearce rejected the Greens plan and incorrect claims about luxury apartments, calling it a political ploy to differentiate themselves from the other political parties ahead of the election.

“The first rule of development is to build what the community needs,” he said.

He said that as a not-for-profit community club, any surplus profit made through the master plan could only be to the benefit of the sport, club and community.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr has previously reassured Canberra Racing Club of its future at Thoroughbred Park, and the government has a Memorandum of Understanding with the club on its economic diversification, including housing and commercial opportunities.

The government has also established the Thoroughbred Park Housing and Revitalisation Steering Committee to advise it on options for the proposed development, including the best delivery model and potential for declaring it an urban renewal site.

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Mr Pearce was at a committee meeting with government officials this morning and said plans were progressing.

“We have lodged our substantive submissions, including all the technical reports with EPSD under the new territory planning framework,” he said.

“So we’re in the home straight of that process and separately through the government on the revitalisation steering committee.

“We’re down to brass tacks working out how it all comes together and the costs and benefits for the community to allow government to make decisions.”

Mr Pearce said the club was hopeful of a position from the government ahead of the election in October.

He said that under the funding agreement the club was obliged to diversify its long-term revenue and do an independent economic study of the economic value-add of the thoroughbred industry in the ACT.

“That shows that we generate $80 million a year in economic value-add as a business and as a racing industry in the ACT,” Mr Pearce said.

Mr Pearce questioned the legality of compulsory acquisition and the uncertainty that would cause for business in general in the ACT.

He said Thoroughbred Park employed 500 people and was a 365-days-a-year events business of which racing was only a part, hosting events such as the Canberra Festival of Speed, Special Kids Christmas Party and ACT Sustainability Expo.

Clubs ACT Chief Executive Craig Shannon said the Greens’ proposal was a fanciful, un-costed and ideological bait and switch at taxpayers’ expense.

“The not-for-profit Canberra Racing Club proposal already proposes much the same thing without being a burden to taxpayers, and any profits will go to sports and community groups,” he said.

Mr Shannon said the redevelopment aimed to integrate with the nearby light rail route through Mitchell, potentially creating more than 2000 jobs and delivering a substantial economic boost to the ACT.

Canberra Liberals housing spokesperson Mark Parton said the Greens’ plan to compulsorily acquire the site to deliver similar outcomes but with taxpayers’ money was absurd.

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Canberra Business Chamber CEO Greg Harford said the plan was bad policy and fraught with risk.

“Businesses need certainty in their operating environment and need to know that their private property rights are secure and will be respected,” he said.

The proposal followed last year’s compulsory acquisition of Calvary Hospital and would put the ACT in dangerous legal territory, Mr Harford said.

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40 million dollars to support gambling and horse abuse is ridiculous. This money needs to go to better use.

Having new homes, Schools and education centres, health facility, GP clinic, community hall, town square, art studio space, shops, restaurants, commercial offices, repair cafe, recycling hub, parks, community gardens, a microforest etc. would be an amazingly peaceful area for more people to be able to live in as well as it being a great meeting point for people. The racecourse definitely needs to be gone from this area… it will not be good for families to be around gambling, drinking and loud crowds. Having a race course should be low priority compared to actual benefiting community uses such as schools, homes, health facilities, parks and more. Lets make Canberra more lively and safe by developing areas like this! Go Greens!!

Daniel Wright10:22 am 08 Aug 24

Racecourse should move to another place. This place will be the one of the hearts of the community dwelling place for the people. We don’t want to show the gambling, drinking and drugs to children and students. Green is doing right things. We like to see all Politician do like Greens. I totally agree with Greens idea.

I agree. We need more community safe areas and where the racecourse currently lies is a central area that can be used for so many more beneficial uses for the Canberra Community.

So here we have the Greens ideological (or illogical) and pathological hatred for horse racing dressed up as a social housing initiative with all the goodness that’s likely to deliver. Apparently, it’s not OK to financially support Thoroughbred Park, but OK to subsidise Green fluff such as a community hall, town square, art studio space, a repair café (for fixing deconstructed double decaf soy latte coffees, smashed avo’s and broken faux leather moccasins?), recycling hub (for Green policies) and community pantry along with community gardens for growing your decimalised plants and a microforest in the proposed development. Perhaps it could be made mandatory that all Green MLAs and their supporters to live there and see how it works out?
They don’t however seem to have an issue in using public money to buy out Thoroughbred Park or help them move elsewhere in order to advance their cause. Given the Labor/Green time served in Government, the blame for any perceived housing crisis lays directly at their feet as there is abundant land available however the government has consciously dragged their feet in order to artificially inflate the land prices and thus contribute to their coffers and at significant expense to the home buyer. Contracting out the construction of new suburbs hasn’t helped the cost of land either though it has of course helped the Labor/Green governments industry partners.
Why do we have any of this Green nonsense? Pretty simple really, they’re propping up a failed Labor Government who couldn’t get over the line on their own terms so now we have the Green tail wagging the Labor dog and we are all reaping the benefits of being told how to live our life by an unrepresentative party with a marginal support base at best. Democracy, isn’t it great!
On a side note, in the unlikely event that this gets up, you can bet the Greens next target will be EPIC for the same usual reasons (cars, noise, folk festivals, fun, etc). I’d put money on it.

EPIC i actually makes use of their space for community measures. Whereas the throughbred park uses the money and space just for themselves.

You’ll only be allowed to live there if you cop a dose of Bandt’s Anti-racism training, which apparently will challenge white privilege and white fragility, and reveal ingrained prejudices.
It will focus on Australia’s racist history and ways to tackle ongoing systemic racism. It must be delivered by organisations run by First Nations people and people of colour and will be funded through existing departmental budgets and parliamentary allowances.

@farnarkler
From the jaundiced tone of your post, it seems like you would benefit from such training

Oh the greens , can they just go away

Incidental Tourist9:50 pm 28 Jun 24

The problem is not homes on racetrack land. This land has the lawful owner. The real problem is Greens eye someone else property and forcibly grab it. Yesterday they took over Calvary hospital. Then they deprived landlords from rights to their investment properties. This is next property grab. “Forced acquisition” is autocracy. This is what communists always did.

Some people here really love their horses.

Nick Stevens5:04 pm 28 Jun 24

Excellent policy by Greens, hopefully comes to fruition, replacing that abhorrent, cruel animal exploitation, to further the gambling industry to the vulnerable and the stupid.

Margaret Freemantle2:34 pm 28 Jun 24

Housing on our racetrack? How ridiculous!!! Because it is not THEIR interest. The flow on job loss and depriving the racing community is downright selfish. Didn’t the greens hold up a development on vacant land near the racetrack?? Yes.
Greens exposed.

Ahh the Greens. Showing once again why they should not be given any power. One crazy idea for every good

Keyboard Warrior11:29 pm 27 Jun 24

Greens great at spending other people’s money and importing those who will vote for them. Time to look after our own!

Daniel Wright10:04 am 09 Aug 24

This is valuable land, many builder want to buy and develop the land. Government can use money for people. It will be huge amount.

Greens want to also remove cars and trucks. Have they ever stopped to think how there Weetbix gets to the supermarket?
(A) Not on a bicycle.

There is plenty of vacant land in Canberra that could be developed for housing…. try putting all the infrastructure in with electric trucks and electric excavators!

GrumpyGrandpa7:43 pm 27 Jun 24

What ideological ratbags! Wanting to complusorily acquire the Race Course, force the industry to relocate to NSW, and use the land for community housing.

I guess the Brumbies and Raiders’ grounds would also be up for grabs; they too could be relocated to NSW.

We don’t need Manuka Oval either, I guess? They also play cricket and AFL in NSW.

And to think the ALP enter into an alliance with the Greens as partners in government.

wildturkeycanoe7:06 pm 27 Jun 24

The “Greens” turning green space into concrete, heat island, high-rise buildings? Who would have thought we’d see the day?

Anybody who has been paying attention.

Andrew Cooke6:49 pm 27 Jun 24

Great idea! The less government subsidies for horse racing the better. Also the sooner EPiC and he racetrack get turned into housing the better for Canberra

Well except for the fact that there are no subsidies, the economic benefit to the Territory from the industry is significant and the land is not owned by the government, you might have a point.

Andrew Cooke10:07 am 28 Jun 24

I’m not sure if you read the article but it definitely mentions about $8 million per year in government subsidies.

Also the land doesn’t need to be bought by the government, just change the zoning so Gambling Venue isn’t one of the allowed uses.

Spending 8 million to generate 80 million is an investment.

Why is it that greens supporters seem to struggle with kindergarten level mathematics?

Andrew,
they aren’t subsidies when the industry faces extra gambling taxation levies that far exceeds the amounts returned. It’s a sleight of hand used by parties like the Greens to claim the government is somehow subsidising them.

Although interestingly, if you are against the government providing subsidies, I’m assuming you’re also against them funding any number of local artistic, cultural and sporting activities that return very little to the government through taxation?

And the land isn’t currently zoned for a “gambling venue” wherever you think that fits into the current territory plan. It can’t be arbitrarily changed and even if it was, it doesn’t mean the government then gets to reclaim the land because it feels like it.

Do you think its a good idea for the government to arbitrarily reclaim private property off existing owners, just because they are ideologically opposed to the current owners using their land for legal purposes?

Andrew Cooke2:00 pm 28 Jun 24

I’m not against government subsidies, nor have I suggested that the government should have the ability to arbitrarily reclaim private property. Even if the land was rezoned, I have no problem with the racing club selling to the highest bidder.

What I do have an issue with is the toxic gambling industry and the normalisation of gambling that is promoted through such avenues as the “sport” of horse racing. Want to take a bet (sic) on how long horse racing would exist if you weren’t allowed to bet on it?

Andrew,
your first comment said “great idea”, suggesting you are supportive of the Greens proposal to forcibly aquire the land. So yes, you do seemingly agree with that. The current raceclub already is proposing to develop a large portion of the land into residential and commercial development themselves.

And your second paragraph just highlights that you seemingly are OK with banning things that you don’t like, which is what this is really about for the Greens. Some of would prefer to let adults make their own choices about what they do and the social and entertainment pursuits they enjoy.

Margaret Freemantle2:41 pm 28 Jun 24

It is not a ” Gambling Venue” it is a place for horses to run. People will gamble there by choice, but the purpose of a racetrack is for horses to race!. It generates jobs, is a place to be if you love horses. Why can’t the greens get over themselves – such hypocrisy when they continually hold up so many other housing developments!!!

Andrew Cooke3:18 pm 28 Jun 24

Great idea – turning the racetrack into a housing development.

This has nothing to do with the Greens, nor does it have anything to do with banning things, its got to do with a large parcel of underutilised land sitting in a prime spot.

Yes I have issues with horse racing and other gambling pursuits but if you want to waste your money that way, I have no problem in letting you do so. I have an issue with a large amount of inner city land being set aside for a racetrack that gets used 3 times a year at best.

Just like greyhound tracks are for people who love dogs?

Again, Andrew, it is privately owned land. The owners can do what they like with it. It doesn’t matter where it is. Stealing it to repurpose because you dislike horse racing is wrong.

“Great idea – turning the racetrack into a housing development.”

That isn’t the idea being promoted here. It’s about the government forcibly acquiring the land.

And I see in your reply you still didn’t repudiate the actual “idea”.

“This has nothing to do with the Greens, nor does it have anything to do with banning things”

Yes it does and it’s beyond naive to claim it doesn’t. The Greens have a stated policy to end horse racing as they have already done so for greyhound racing. This idea is the Greens attempt to remove the racing industry from the ACT.

“its got to do with a large parcel of underutilised land sitting in a prime spot.”

Well, there are plenty of those all around Canberra. Isn’t it convenient that the Greens focus on this land. How about we focus on other open greenspaces and sportsfields next, im sure youll be supportive of their removal?

And if it’s solely about using the land, you would support the redevelopments being proposed by the club without the actual racecourse needing to close.

“I have an issue with a large amount of inner city land being set aside for a racetrack that gets used 3 times a year at best.”

It isn’t “set aside”, it’s a privately owned facility.

It’s almost like you have no idea what you’re talking about. 3 times a year? Bahahaha.

I totally agree with this policy on multiple levels.
Firstly the government should not be subsidising horse racing to the tune of 8 million per annum. When there are so many competing priorities in our community.

Second this is prime land that is underutilized in our city and needs to be redeveloped for a more appropriate use ie housing schools parkland especially now the tram line runs straight past this sight.

Thirdly we should not support the animal cruelty that is horse racing. Those majestic animals deserve better than that

Fourthly there is a race track at Queanbeyan that could be improved and the race events moved there and call it something like the capital region race track. So those that like this sort of thing is still catered for

Therefore this should be followed into a positive future for the city we all love.

Firstly, thoroughbred park generates over 80 million dollars of value for the ACT economy every year. The 7.5 million to keep it running is money well spent for a change.

Secondly, I think wherever your place is needs redeveloped because it could be used better. In a wsy I like. Maybe a burnout pad and toxic waste dump.

Thirdly, nobody is being cruel to race horses worth several hundred thousand, and some even many millions of dollars each. You’re ridiculous.

Fourth, Queanbeyan is not in the ACT, so we lose all that revenue.

Usual genius of a watermelon supporter. Not much of a surprise.

GrumpyGrandpa3:09 pm 28 Jun 24

Troy,
Be careful what you wish for. If it weren’t for horse racing, these majestic animals would have limited commercial value and end up as dog meat.

So no inherent value just as things to bet on

If the park makes 80 mill why do they need 8 million from the government??

This sight is right on the light rail line and it should be used for the community not for a stupid horse track.

Horses are miss treated that’s how they get them to race.

As for being a watermelon supporter, I assume you mean Gaza and yes absolutely I think Israel should stop murdering civilians in Gaza so sorry to hear that you are incapable of being compassionate to your fellow man. Also Israel should stop being a Appartite state when it comes the Palestinians. I can’t believe thats a weird concept to you,

I wholeheartedly agree with the Greens proposal. Canberra does not need a race course, but we do need more housing. This is a prime location close to the light rail line – we should not waste it on the pastime of a fraction of the community.

Max Scheckenbac5:03 pm 27 Jun 24

Andrew, I look forward to the Democrate Republic of The ACT compulsory acquiring your land just because.
We should not waste your land on you, that you have saved and scrimped and toiled for years to own.
Be careful what you wish for it may come true and be used against you.

Honestly, there’s no point buying a house in Canberra. If you can afford the rates, the place might just get taken off you because of some cash grab (I’m referring to the Mr fluffy debacle)

The Greens just providing another reason why they are totally unelectable.

I’m offering free cars to all Canberrans if I am elected supreme leader of the territory at the next election!

This policy is as good as any greens policy.

“The Greens say they would negotiate a government purchase of the site or compulsorily acquire it on just terms”

Wow, the socialists are lining up to steal private property to get rid of something they are ideologically opposed to using many millions of dollars worth of taxpayer money… who’d have seen that coming /rolleyes

Well, people hailed compulsory acquisition of CH and I said then that it is just the start – what goes around comes around. If labour is close to losing power they will cave in to the Greens’ demand. Soon, these mobs will come for your businesses, cars, homes or any of your possession if it does not align with their ideology. Do their bidding or they run you out of town. Just keep voting for them and it will be rinse repeat.

Seriously. Thats just delusional

@dolphin most of the people in these comments seem to be worried the commies are coming to get them. (And anyone who disagrees with them is a commie, apparently.)

Daniel Wright10:00 am 09 Aug 24

This is not Racecourse land, it is government land.

Wow, if Greens don’t like your type of business, they will just acquire the land from under you.

Canberra is already out of step with the rest of Australia. Then a Communist Greens Territory Government. WOW that should make Canberra almost a third world state in 1st world democracy. Anything the Communist Australian Greens are pushing as policy is automatically a very bad idea.

Queenie-Lou Hilario4:05 pm 27 Jun 24

Is communism in the room with you?

Da, Comrade queenie.

Privatise everything, I say! Every roundabout and intersection can have a toll booth and every street lamp can be coin operated. Or use pay wave and we can all pay, say, $10 for 10 seconds of light.

I get the feeling that if that happened, the rest of us would be paying your share anyway, vylot. Communists rarely seem to work.

Not a commie, but I’ve heard there are reds under the bed. I work full time, thanks (held down three jobs at one point). Oh, and you do know about the whole forced labour thing in communist countries and the whole “for the worker” thing, right? Or did they not cover 20th century history at Oxford? Must be too young to remember.

If you want a completely capitalist nation capital, then the government shouldn’t subsidise anything, including hospitals and schools. Every single thing should be user pays.

Your terms are acceptable. LOL

Will someone just tell Rattenury to foff and leave our only racecourse alone. There’s pleanty of other vacant land around that area. Honestly how hopeless is this bloke and his cohorts.

Who would want to live across the road from a venue that holds noisy events several times a year? Those that would plan to get the events or the venue shut down I presume.

Hopefully any future resident will be required to sign a waiver stating that they accept that there will be these events across the road.

The land would be better used as an extension of EPIC.

Don’t understand it. There is a barren stretch of land called Crace grasslands right next door. Why do we need to dig up Canberra’s only race course?

…because horse racing is bad and it’s in the “greater good” for the Greens to steal it.

LOL
Here come the inevitable flood of greens policies (aka poorly concieved brain farts) they know they will never have to deliver.

I might as well start releasing policies for when I become El Presidente at the next election. 🤣

Funny, so good LOL. I will vote for you El Presidente better that than voting Communist Green.

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