Council turf war over Belmont Park racecourse development

A turf war, quite literally, has erupted between the neighbouring councils of Victoria Park and Belmont over control of the valuable riverside racecourse of Belmont Park.

The City of Belmont wants the well-known site to be returned to its jurisdiction after a 100-year absence.

It has submitted a proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board to have the boundary between it and Victoria Park amended, to transfer control of Belmont Park.

The 73 hectare racecourse site is owned by the WA Turf Club and is earmarked for a $2 billion redevelopment including a mix of medium to high density residential development, retail and commercial precincts and a new grandstand complex, that has key support from the Western Australian Planning Commission.

Belmont CEO Dr Shayne Silcox and Mayor Glenys Godfrey met with the Town of Victoria Park late yesterday to advise it of the proposal, which drew fire from Victoria Park chief executive John Bonker.

Mr Bonker told WA Business News the proposal was a blatant land grabbing exercise and council would vigorously defend the move.

"It's poor form. We're an open and transparent council and have always been on good terms with our neighbours," Mr Bonker said.

"I am disappointed that the city has chosen to present us with a fait accompli without prior warning or discussions."

The proposal already has the support of the WA Turf Club, who were approached by the City of Belmont.

Perth Racing chief executive Alasdair Robertson said the club had a good relationship between both councils but it made sense to change the boundaries as it was already split from Victoria Park by the Graham Farmer Freeway.

"I think it's a good move to have 100 per cent of Perth Racing in Belmont. We've already got 3,000 horses training there, we're transforming Grandstand Road and doing a $10 million plus residential subdivision at Ascot Waters," Mr Robertson said.

"Belmont has told us that even if there was no development going on at Belmont Park, they would still want the boundary changed."

At stake in the dispute is a forecasted rate revenue of $5 million per year from the new community, when an estimated 8,000 people make the Belmont Park site home in the next ten years.

Victoria Park Mayor Mick Lee said there would be a substantial residential community on the site, and its connection would be with the community currently being established on the Peninsula at Burswood, not with any part of Belmont.

City of Belmont chief executive Shayne Silcox said in a statement the proposed change was in response to physical changes in the area, such as the development of the Freeway, which had caused the Belmont Park area to become a virtual island, with the exception of the link to the City of Belmont.

"The proposed boundary change is a minor realignment of the boundary between the two councils to reflect the physical features of the area - the Graham Farmer Freeway and the Swan River," Dr Silcox said.

"Currently, the City of Belmont's western boundary is Orrong Road, which becomes Graham Farmer Freeway. The amendment will simply extend the boundary along the line of these roads."

He said the development of Belmont Park Racecourse under Belmont's jurisdiction would ensure continuity, efficiency and quality results.

The full text of an announcement from the Town of Victoria Park is pasted below:

The Town of Victoria Park is disappointed and outraged that the City of Belmont has submitted a proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board to have the Racecource transferred to its jurisdiction without any prior consultation or discussion of its intention to do so.

"We have always been on good terms with our neighbours and are open and transparent in all our dealings, so I am disappointed that the City has chosen to present us with this fait accompli without prior warning or discussions." Mayor Mick Lee said.

"Needless to say the Town will be defending this blatant land poaching attempt vigorously. The arguments put forward by Belmont are specious and the Town is confident of refuting them."

"In the longer term there will be a substantial residential community on this site and its connection will be with the community currently being established on the Peninsula, not with any part of Belmont." Mayor Lee said.

"The Town is not aware that managing two racecourses in separate local authorities has ever been a disadvantage to the WA Turf Club. In the past 40 years plus I have been on Council this has never been raised", he said.

The full text of an announcement from the City of Belmont is pasted below:

PROPOSED CHANGE TO PUT BELMONT PARK IN BELMONT
The City of Belmont has submitted a proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board to move its boundaries to include the Belmont Park Racecourse.

City of Belmont CEO, Shayne Silcox said the proposed change responds to the physical changes in the area including the development of the Freeway, causing the Belmont Park area to become a virtual island, with the exception of the link to the City of Belmont.

"The proposed boundary change is a minor realignment of the boundary between the two councils to reflect the physical features of the area - the Graham Farmer Freeway and the Swan River," said Dr Silcox.

"Currently, the City of Belmont's western boundary is Orrong Road, which becomes Graham Farmer Freeway. The amendment will simply extend the boundary along the line of these roads."

"Many West Australians, and visitors to the State, assume that Belmont Park Racecourse is, as the name suggests, already in Belmont," he continued.

"A minor amendment would help to clear-up this confusion for everyone. It's a practical change based on common sense.

"The City of Belmont believes it can deliver real benefits to the WATC through the expertise we have developed in racing industry matters.

"We also believe we can provide the WATC with very good support and a productive working relationship as it progresses its residential development plans on the Belmont Park Racecourse site.

"We are already working well with the WATC in the development of the Ascot Racecourse site and we have good expertise in riverside developments in the area.

"The development of Belmont Park Racecourse under our jurisdiction would ensure continuity, efficiency and quality results," Dr Silcox concluded.

The proposal has the full backing of the Western Australian Turf Club which believes the move would benefit the industry and correct an historical anomaly.

"The racing industry has a rich history and strong ties with the City of Belmont which is already home to the Ascot Racecourse," said Perth Racing CEO Alasdair Robertson.

"This change would bring the final piece of large metropolitan racing industry infrastructure into the City of Belmont - the only metropolitan local government authority that has a residential stables zone supported by local laws, as well as other racing industry infrastructure and activity," he said.

"It would also eliminate duplication and streamline operations for the WA Turf Club which has had to work intimately with two separate local government authorities."