pete Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Update on Avondale Racecourse New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), in conjunction with Avondale Jockey Club (AJC), would like to issue a joint statement regarding current discussions between the governing body and the racing Club. Representatives from both NZTR and AJC are working together constructively to agree on the future of the Racecourse land, as well as the direction of the Club entity. This week, the parties have become aware of a social media post created by the Avondale Business Association concerning a submission AJC made in 2022 about the future of the Avondale racecourse. In 2022, the AJC made a submission to Auckland Council’s Plan Change 78 - a housing intensification plan change mandated by the Government of the time. The Club’s submission asked the Independent Hearing Panel to consider whether a residential zoning for the land would be more appropriate, and consistent with the mandated purpose of Plan Change 78. The AJC submission acknowledged that NZTR’s Venue Plan process proposed to cease racing at Avondale Racecourse after the 2024/2025 season and as a result, the Club has asked the Independent Hearing Panel to consider whether the better zoning for the land in the future is a residential zone. AJC’s submission forms part of the Plan Change process and is not directly related to NZTR or the Racing Industry Act. NZTR understands that the recent social media post, which focuses on this Plan Change submission, may raise concerns about the future of the Racecourse land amongst participants and the wider public. The current discussions between NZTR and AJC are independent of Auckland Council’s Plan Change 78 process. Importantly, the Club intends to engage with its members and community about the future of the Racecourse at an appropriate time. NZTR would like to thank the Club for its willingness to engage in collaborative discussions to date. Both parties will continue to seek a positive outcome for the Racecourse land and the Club that will benefit New Zealand racing participants and the wider Avondale community. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesi Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Avondale Racecourse rezoning: community concerned by potential for thousands of homes By Ben Leahy 19 Mar, 2024 06:00 PM It comes as it has now been revealed a proposal to rezone the 35ha Avondale Racecourse into land suitable for apartments and terrace houses will be heard in October or November. Auckland Council values the racecourse at $77.5 million. However, rezoning the land for intensive housing could see its value shoot up to $300m, the Avondale Business Association says. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with NZME. The association has called a community meeting on March 28 so residents can learn more about the rezoning proposal and try to have a say in what happens to the land. “We are wanting to make people aware of the proposal,” the business association chair Marcus Amosa said. Read More Ockham-Marutūāhu Partnership opens Kōkihi, second apartment ... Te wero: How can developers successfully engage with ... Business Hub: Lawyer, maunga chief Paul Majurey - 'Ultimately ... “The local community wants to be considered for any future decisions that affect the racecourse because it’s an important community space for us.” A future sale of the track has been in discussions for years now as attendances at its racing events have dropped off and it was identified as a track that should be closed in a 2018 government-commissioned report into the industry. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with NZME. Racing events were held at the track last year but are set to wind up by the end of 2025, if not sooner. Owners of the track, the Avondale Jockey Club, have already sold off land on the fringes of the track with a joint venture by Marutūahu and developers Ockham buying 1.58ha in July 2022. The joint venture now plans to spend $550m building 750 apartments in eight blocks of up to 10 storeys. Should the Avondale Jockey Club sell the rest of the racecourse land, it could reinvest the money back into horse racing. Related articles KAHU 'Kōkihi - 95 apartments where once 7 houses stood': Woods 29 Jun 05:00 AM BUSINESS Permanent rentals? New 32-unit central Auckland apartment block opens 20 Jun 08:45 AM NEW ZEALAND|Politics Auckland Council takes middle road on heritage v housing war 30 Jun 09:41 PM NEW ZEALAND Helensville residents oppose huge solar farm on their doorstep 04 Jul 02:37 PM Developer Ockham Residential has already built the Aroha apartment block around the corner from the Avondale Racecourse and bought a second 1.5ha section nearby as part of a joint venture. Photo / Adrian Malloch Photography But Ross Clow from the Whau local board hopes some of the land is gifted back to the community. Clow said in some cases in smaller towns, racing clubs forced to close their tracks had gifted their land to local councils in recognition it has been a valuable community space. He hopes half of the 35ha Avondale course can be retained as green space, through a combination of sports fields and parks. As a minimum, he hopes space can be retained for the highly popular Avondale markets. Clow said ratepayers spend about $330,000 a year supporting the track by renting its inner fields as sports grounds and renting space for the markets. Amosa said it’s important any future developments are master-planned with the community in mind and that the land isn’t sold off in small parcels. The Avondale Jockey Club has been approached for comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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