“This plan would alleviate that whole issue. No child would miss out on sport in Glen Eira if this plan went ahead,” he said.
Cr Magee said he hoped the relocation of training would spur the racecourse trust and state government to move quickly on developing the new community precinct. “All we’ve got so far is a plan,” he said.
Mick Price and Cox Plate winnerCiaron Maher,were one of the final trainers remaining at Caulfield. Price,with $100 million in prizemoney,said the approximately 400 horses who trained at Caulfield would miss the track’s soft and grippy surface,which he said was impeccably maintained and ameliorated long-term physical degradation of horses,leading to long careers.
“In the context of training centres,it was very,very good. You only have to look at the results of horses who trained there,” he said,noting that new facilities at Cranbourne,where many trainers had moved to,were also top-quality. “The club cared.”
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Mr Almaliki said some trainers would relocate to racecourses in Sandown and Cranbourne,and praised the co-operation of trainers.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said she was pleased training relocated early so the trust would “progress with the planning,development and management of the reserve for racing,recreation and as a public park”.
Two sports hubs will be created within the track as part of the 15-year plan. One will include natural turf surfaces for cricket or soccer and the other will have synthetic pitches for sports such as hockey. There will also be an outdoor gym and picnic areas. Walking,running and cycling trails will be created alongside the racetrack,while gardens,a skate park,meeting rooms,open spaces for markets and off-leash areas will also be developed.
Affordable housing,which may be built above a community and indoor sports centre along the racetrack perimeter,could be stipulated to be for university students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds or front-line health workers. The track is near Monash University’s Caulfield campus.
About $570 million is required for the project,of which $285 million has been committed by the Melbourne Racing Club. The racecourse trust is negotiating with federal,state and local governments over their contributions. The racing club is partly funding the project through the sale of Sandown racecourse.
Mr Almaliki has been reappointed as chair of the trust for three years and will be joined by three new trustees,including former City of Port Phillip mayor Bernadene Voss.
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