The rezoning move comes at the same time as a 10-year moratorium preventing the sale of the adjacent Australian Turf Club (ATC) owned racetrack expires.
The ATC lodged an application in 2017 to shut its Area 6 car park on the south-east corner of King and Princess streets before it was withdrawn. Re-lodged in 2019, the council asked for it to be re-advertised in January this year.
In 2018, developer Mirvac sparked a community backlash after advertising a new apartment release was “coming soon” to the site which is zoned as recreational space.
Calling for all parties to respect a masterplan process which is underway and to ensure the “community is involved every step of the way”, State MP for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis, also wants the racetrack’s sale moratorium extended for at least five more years.
“I support the continuation of racing, events, hospitality and open space. I do not support further residential development,” she said.
“Our community has suffered under this Government’s out of control over-development.”
In a letter to the council, Federal MP for Watson, Tony Burke, also said he was “deeply concerned” about any attempt to change the zoning in advance of master-planning for the precinct.
“On the face of it, it would be premature to make the amendment which is being sought,” he said.
However ATC spokesperson Brett de Vine denied there were any plans to end racing at Canterbury.
He said consolidating parking on the in-field for night and midweek meetings, was “better and more efficient” than using the Area 6 carpark.
“We have no immediate plans to continue any sort of development until the masterplan been sorted out and all due processes are followed,” he said.
