New governing body to ensure Melbourne's Caulfield Racecourse remains as public open space

In a move to re-establish Melbourne's Caulfield Racecourse as an area of public open space, the Victorian Government has introduced legislation to establish a new governing body to manage the famous venue, home of the Caulfield Cup.

A Victorian Government statement advises that the legislation, if passed, will enable a “new independent body to manage the land for the purposes it was reserved – as a racecourse and public park.”

The proposed change to management arrangements will bring it into line with other major Crown Land recreation precincts such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

The planned legislation follows last year’s sacking of the trustees of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.

The sacking came after a Victorian Parliamentary review into the use of a 54-hectare reserve at the centre of the racecourse, which was gazetted as public land 160 years ago but has been mainly restricted to use for horse training.

The Victorian Auditor General recommended improving the management and oversight of Caulfield Racecourse Reserve, and improving public access and recreational facilities.

The legislation change was recommended in 2016 by a bi-partisan working group.

Commenting on the planned legislation, Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio advised that Caulfield Racecourse Reserve is and will continue to be one of Australia’s premier racing facilities, advising “this new independent body will ensure this landmark site is managed for the purposes it was originally reserved - a racecourse, and for public recreation and open space.

“The proposed changes will improve governance of the reserve, bringing it into line with other similar major Crown Land recreation precincts such as the MCG and MSAC.”

Victorian Minister for Racing Martin Pakula added “for 138 years, Caulfield Reserve has been the home of the famous Caulfield Cup - and these new arrangements will ensure racing continues to thrive at Caulfield while allowing appropriate community use.”

The 54-hectare reserve is nearly 15 times the size of the MCG and located in the densely populated inner south-east. 

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