Response to questions regarding Caulfield Racecourse

1.      Immediate public access to the middle of the racecourse

Members of the public currently have access to the middle of the racecourse everyday between 9.30am and sunset, other than on race days and when there are major events. The hours of access are readily available on signs located at various points around the racecourse perimeter.

2.         Development as a public recreation ground and public park

Following discussions which I convened between Glen Eira City Council and the Melbourne Racing Club, agreement has been reached regarding development of new recreational facilities within the centre of the racecourse, as well as improved access and extended hours of access.

Plans for the works have been submitted to Council for a permit, and I look forward to the works being completed in early 2011.

3.      Appropriate development of Caulfield Village

The Melbourne Racing Club is seeking the rezoning of land between the Racecourse and the Railway Line. This is a matter for Glen Eira City Council, and not the State Government. The Liberal candidate for Caulfield appears not to understand the planning laws, which provide that rezoning decisions are determined by local government.

4.      Development as a major transport hub

Metro are investing in a new café at Caulfield station as part of their plan to turn stations into community hubs. Caulfield is very well served by public transport with the station located on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines and a number of trams and local bus routes.

5.      Involvement of local and wider community together with stakeholders at each step of development

In relation to the proposed development known as Caulfield Village, members of the public have had the opportunity to have input into the planning scheme amendment process. In relation to use of the racecourse, Melbourne Racing Club recently held a public meeting regarding the plans for the new recreational facilities in the centre of the Racecourse. I .encourage both Council and the MRC to continue to keep residents and stakeholders involved in the planning for the precinct in the future.

We received the following comment from a reader and wish to highlight it in a separate post. It reads:

“Received notification of a caulfield racecourse precinct special committee meeting on Monday 13th December 2010 at 7pm at the town hall. It states you will not be allowed to address the meeting or ask questions. Obviously the decision has been made by the gang of four. Heaven help us all.”

As per usual, nothing is up on Council website, so we would appreciate it if readers could please send us a copy  – gedebates@gmail.com

As a result of the almost deafening silence on the Caulfield Racecourse issue from candidates in Saturday’s election, we’ve compiled the following table listing their details. Contact them, ask your questions, and get some answers!

There is a deafening silence from the vast majority of State Candidates about the Caulfield Racecourse and the entire Caulfield Village development. Only two candidates have expressed views:

1. Peter Brohier – Independent Candidate for Caulfield District campaigns for extensive infrastructure development to become the junction between East and West of Australia and to link Hastings Ports to Tasmania. He sees the Racecourse as a Public Asset to be used properly by the Public for the Public use;
2. David Southwick – Liberal Candidate for Caulfield District (replaces Shardey) campaigns against an inappropriate development in Caulfield and in particular around the proposed MRC Caulfield Village. He wants to work with the community and the Glen Eira Council to resolve the issue of Public use of the Racecourse. 

No other Candidates are campaigning on the issue of the Racecourse and the development of the greatest asset that Victoria has got according to Peter Brohier. The value of the area, which was also examined in the Sir Rod Eddington’s Report, is between $10 billion to $20 billion at present. The proposed developments plus the likely future developments may either double the value or if it is NOT done properly it may destroy the area and ALL other areas around the proposed Caulfield Village.

 On the grapevine we hear that both major parties are divided about the proper use and future development of this area. Baillieu is totally against the development and Brumby has not said a word. 

There will be 17 MPs in the Parliament, whose votes are important for the Caulfield Racecourse Public Recreation Ground and Public Park with its surrounding areas. The Public deserves an answer from ALL candidates on this big issue that will affect the whole of Victoria and Australia as this transport hub should be developed into a major link between East and West.

We ask each candidate to state their position on the following:

1. immediate public access to the middle of the racecourse
2. development as a public recreation ground and public park
3. appropriate development of Caulfield Village
4. development as a major transport hub
5. involvement of local and wider community together with stakeholders at each step of development

Caulfield is currently inundated with election posters, pamphlets, notice boards. All are full of promises about the Caulfield Racecourse. David Southwick appears to be winning the stakes (excuse pun!) in this area. Ms Abramson’s publicity machine is running a very long second we suggest. She definitely needs to pull the whip out and begin to concentrate on the local community.

We thought that those readers who may not have seen the latest Southwick effort might be interested in this poster that went up under his name and concerns the Caulfield Racecourse. We quote:

Fight inappropriate development at Caulfield Racecourse 

The proposed Caulfield Racecourse development will mean:

• High density towering commercial buildings
• Traffic congestion
• Local lost amenities
• The threat of antisocial behaviour 

The Brumby Labour government has done nothing to protect Caulfield residents from the proposed massive racecourse development which would see

• Twelve hundred residential units (including high rise towers)
• 20,000 square metres of office space
• 15,000 square metres of retail space

 I want to work with you and the local community to ensure a better deal.

 David Southwick

 Liberal for Caulfield.