Liverpool Local Environmental Plan 2008 (Amendment No 14) - Rezoning of land associated with/adjacent to Warwick Farm Racecourse

Liverpool Council, on 18 October 2010, resolved to prepare an Amendment No. 14 to the Liverpool LEP 2008:(1) To allow an additional use "stock and sale yard" including staff and temporary accommodation and rezone part to RE1 Public Recreation on a portion of the land zoned RE2 Private Recreation under Liverpool LEP 2008, north of Governor Macquarie Drive, Warwick Farm (Warwick Farm Racecourse and also known as Inglis Site); and (2) To rezone 29.6 hectares of land south of Governor Macquarie Drive (known as Coopers Paddock) from RE2 Private Recreation to IN1 General Industrial ( 13.7 ha) with the remaining 15.9 hectares being rezoned to RE1 Public Recreation under Liverpool LEP 2008.Council's letter and Planning Proposal is at Attachment 1. The site (see location map at Attachment 2)The lands known as Warwick Farm Racecourse (Inglis site) and Coopers Paddock, is owned by the Australian Jockey Club (AJC). The lands are on the north and south of Governor Macquarie Drive, Warwick Farm and bounded by Georges River on the east. Inglis site (Warwick Farm Racecourse), north of Governor Macquarie Drive(see Attachment 3 for proposed area) The proposal is to allow an additional use in the Schedule 1 of Liverpool LEP 2008 for "Stock and sale yard" on part of the site to enable the subject site to be developed for thoroughbred race horses in association with the race course industry at Warwick Farm. Council intends that the proposed "Stock and sale yard" use on part of the site would allow to accommodate additional horse stables, a sales arena, truck loading and parking facilities, staff accommodation (Managers residence), temporary accommodation (being accommodation for owners/strappers to care for their horses during sales events), entertainment conferences, exhibitions, veterinarian services and equestrian riding. Part of the land zoned RE2 along the Georges River foreshore is proposed to be rezoned to RE1 Public Recreation, for dedication to Council. See Attachment 4 for current zoning of the site. Council officers, on 2 December 2010, has further advised the Department that further additional uses in Schedule 1 be included for "Dwelling house" to accommodate the proposed Manager's residence and "Serviced apartments" to accommodate temporary accommodation for owners/strappers to care for their horses during sales events be included in the draft plan. This is, however, not part of the Planning Proposal endorsed by Council. The land is currently zoned RE2 Private Recreation and "Stock and sale yard" is currently not a permissible use in the zone. Coopers Paddock site is located south of Governor Macquarie Drive (see Attachment 3).The land is owned by AJC since 1923. It is bounded by a sewage treatment plant to the west and Georges River to the east and south. It is currently used as training grounds by horse trainers, however, is an excess to current requirement of AJC. It contains two groups of derelict buildings comprising of houses and horse stables that are no longer in use. It also contains four sand tracks and one clay track that are used as alternative horse trails. These training facilities will be relocated to the north of the existing race course grounds, should the site be developed. The RE2 Private Recreation zoned land is proposed to be rezoned to part RE1 Public Recreation (13.7 ha)and IN1 General Industrial (15.9 ha). As a result, the proposed RE1 zoned land along the Georges River Foreshore will be rehabilitated and dedicated to Council and will ensure a continuous/secured public open space link.