Significant step forward for redevelopment of Belmont Racecourse site

Planning Minister John Day made the following brief ministerial statement in the Legislative Assembly today.

METROPOLITAN REGION SCHEME AMENDMENT 1159/41 - BELMONT RACECOURSE REDEVELOPMENT

Mr Speaker

I'm pleased to notify the House that I have recently given approval for the advertising of an MRS amendment for the redevelopment of the Belmont Racecourse site.  The amendment will be advertised from November 25, 2008 to February 27, 2009.

In September 2006, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) initiated an amendment for the Belmont Racecourse site.  However, following referral to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), advice was received that the amendment was to be formally assessed. 

Concerns raised by the EPA related to the potential impact on the river from large scale development, reduced size of the proposed foreshore reserve, treatment of acid sulphate soils and fly ash contamination.  Consequently, the Western Australian Turf Club (WATC) opted to abandon the development and requested the WAPC to withdraw the amendment. 

However, the Western Australian Turf Club has submitted a new amendment for the site, which will facilitate the redevelopment of approximately 73ha of land currently containing racing facilities.  It will also provide for medium and high density housing, mixed-use facilities, public foreshore access to the site and minor rationalisation of the Graham Farmer freeway reserve. 

Currently, the foreshore reserve surrounding the site is privately owned and is partially restricted to the public.  No net loss in the foreshore reserve is proposed.  The historic Belmont Racecourse and associated facilities are to remain and are proposed to be upgraded.

The site is in a unique location as it is situated at the northern end of the Burswood Peninsula and is in close proximity to the Burswood Park Public Golf Course and Burswood Entertainment Complex.  The land is in close proximity to the CBD with good access to major transport routes and has extensive frontage to the Swan River. 

The Western Australian Turf Club has worked closely with the Department of Environment and Conservation and Swan River Trust to identify any potential issues associated with the historic use of the site and surrounding foreshore reserve.  The Turf Club has committed to prepare a number of management plans such as:

• a Nutrient and Irrigation Management Plan for the racecourse
• a Foreshore Management Plan
• an Urban Water Management Plan for residential areas
• a detailed site assessment of Acid Sulfate Soils will also be conducted prior to subdivision and a responsive management plan will be prepared accordingly. 

In this regard, the Environmental Protection Authority considered the amendment and decided that the overall environmental impact would not be severe enough to warrant any further environmental assessment.

The Turf Club has also prepared an Indicative Development Plan for the Belmont Racecourse site and surrounding land.  The plan proposes to contribute to the transformation of the northern portion of the Burswood Peninsula into a major tourist, recreation, entertainment and high density residential activity centre.  The plan proposes to complement the Burswood Resort Casino and recent developments including the Peninsula Project, Burswood Station Precinct Development Review and The Springs redevelopment.

Mr Speaker, approval of the MRS amendment for advertising allows for more detailed planning to be progressed by the Turf Club.  Should the MRS amendment be approved, a subsequent local scheme amendment and local structure plan for the site under the Town of Victoria Park's Local Planning Scheme will be required to be approved prior to subdivision and development occurring.  Each of these planning processes also provides for a comprehensive public consultation period and community involvement.