Questions

The plan will:

• • Document the existing conditions and future opportunities
• • Include both a spatial framework and management actions for the promotion, management, use and development of the Reserve over a 10- year timeframe
• • Identify options for the realisation of opportunities to integrate with neighbouring uses and wider community
• • Identify the cost of initiatives contained within the plan
• • Identify preferred funding models for financing the plan’s implementation
• • Identify potential staging and timing of initiatives.

The Trust (and the ten-year Land Management Plan that it develops) does not have any authority to dictate what occurs in the precinct surrounding the Reserve, including MRC freehold land. The plan will not include any directions or developments outside of Crown land.

The plan will outline strategic objectives and directions for the Reserve over a ten-year timeframe, and the Trust will oversee the implementation of the plan. Beyond this timeframe, the Trust will continue to be responsible for the management of the Reserve, to ensure there is an appropriate balance between the three purposes of the Reserve – racing, recreation and public park.

The Trust was created under the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Act 2017 and is responsible for the planning, development, management, operation, care, promotion and use of the Reserve for the purposes of racing, recreation and a public park.

Part of the Trust’s obligations include preparing a Land Management Plan for the Reserve, which includes setting strategic objectives, directions and a long-term plan for the Reserve. The Trust will oversee the development and implementation of the plan over a ten-year timeframe.

Beyond this timeframe, the Trust will continue to be responsible for the management of the Reserve.

The Reserve features:

• Picnic area
• BBQ facilities
• Shaded playground, seating and amenities
• Walking/running path
• Lake
• Playground
• Dogs – off leash
• Dogs – on leash

There are four entry points to the Reserve:

Guineas Tunnel entrance (Gate 21)
Open from 9.30am to sunset everyday apart from race days and major events.

Glen Eira Road entrance (corner of Kambrook Road)
Open from 9.45am to sunset everyday apart from race days and major events.

Neerim Road entrance (main racetrack access only)
Open from 9.45am to 1.30pm and 4pm to sunset everyday apart from race days and major events.

Queens Avenue entrance (main racetrack access only)
Open from sunrise – sunset everyday apart from race days, major events and before 9:30am on days when the Main Racetrack is used for training.

In October 2018, the Victorian Government approved a 65-year lease with Melbourne Racing Club for horse racing at Caulfield Racecourse Reserve, which provides security of tenure for the MRC, enabling long term planning and investment in the Reserve by the club. As part of the lease arrangement, horse training at the Reserve will be phased out over a five-year period.

The lease is divided in to two phases. The first phase provides the Melbourne Racing Club with a lease to the racecourse, grandstand, gaming facilities, the Guineas car park and all training infrastructure for approximately five years.

The second phase of the lease commences after horse training has been relocated from Caulfield Racecourse Reserve, and runs for the rest of the lease. It includes the racecourse, grandstand, gaming facilities and the Guineas car park. It also includes enough room to explore the option of an additional racing track and lights, subject to planning and other approvals processes as required.

The footprint for the second phase is less than for the first phase, providing more land to be used for open space and recreation.

The MRC has also been issued a licence for an area in the centre of the Reserve to provide access for car parking in support of the events that it runs. This area constitutes less than 11% of overall land available in the centre of the track.

MRC Lease Plan – Stage 1 Map

MRC Lease Plan – Stage 2 Map

Car Park Licence Plan – Stage 1 Map

Car Park Licence Plan – Stage 2 Map

The public has access to Caulfield Racecourse Reserve every day apart from race days and major events. On race days, the MRC will continue to have control of the whole reserve, as they do now.

Throughout the term of the lease the Melbourne Racing Club will continue to provide community access to the whole racecourse reserve, when it is not being used for horse training or racing.

On non-race days, the MRC will have access to car parking space for 500 cars.  For some major events, the MRC will have access to the full 1250 car parking spaces that will be available on the inside of the Reserve. These events include the Monash Uni exams, which the MRC host each semester.

The racing calendar is set each year by Racing Victoria with race meetings for Caulfield varying from 22 – 24 meetings per annum (typically on Saturdays) in recent racing seasons.  The venue is now internationally renowned for high profile races such as the Blue Diamond Stakes, Caulfield Guineas and the $5m Caulfield Cup.