Harold Park Facts:
The Process from Here

Members of the NSW Harness Racing Club (Club) voted in late 2008 to investigate options for the sale of Harold Park. Since that time the Club has undertaken preliminary investigations into options for future uses on the site.

The Club’s aim is to engage an expert team of consultants to prepare the site for sale (including a rezoning of the site) and redevelopment by the eventual purchasers of the site.

The Club has no firm proposals for the site at this stage but believes that some form of mixed use zoning would be appropriate and is committed to a process involving expert planning, environmental and architectural advisers, State and Local Government, our neighbours and the local community in order to determine the best use for the site; and to ensure the best financial return for the Club.

In July, the NSW Minister for Planning, The Hon. Kristina Keneally wrote to the Club in response to its request for consideration as a state significant site. The Minister recognised the importance of the site and supported the investigation of opportunities for its redevelopment. The Minister determined the site should be dealt with as a matter of priority with The Sydney City Council as the determining planning authority, working closely with the NSW Department of Planning and the Club.

The Sydney City Council and the Central Sydney Planning Committee (CSPC) have undertaken preparations for a suite of new planning controls as a priority, because of the impending relocation of the NSW Harness Racing Club.

The Lord Mayor, Clover Moore presented a Lord Mayoral Minute at the Extraordinary Meeting of Council on Monday, 29 June 2009 with a recommendation that Council commence the planning process for the Harold Park site. Likewise, the Central Sydney Planning Committee (CSPC) considered a similar recommendation at its meeting on Thursday, 2 July 2009.

Meetings have commenced between the Sydney City Council, The Dept of Planning and The Club’s representatives to determine a schedule for the consultation and relevant studies to be progressed.

The next stage of the Community Consultation process will be determined by the Sydney City Council. The proposal includes community meetings to which neighbours and local groups will be invited.

Further advice to interested community members on the format and opportunities for participation at these meetings will be circulated locally prior to these dates.

Community members wishing to make contributions or suggestions prior to these meetings may do so by following the links to our feedback page.