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The Australian Turf Club will continue to progress its plans for western Sydney including further development around Rosehill Gardens after an important vote by ATC members.
Members of the ATC voted in favour of a Board of Directors recommendation to amalgamate with Rosehill Bowling Club, endorsing an important part of ATC’s future strategic plans around its premier track in western Sydney.
Close to 90 per cent of ATC members – including those who voted by proxy – agreed to the amalgamation at yesterday’s 2015 Annual General Meeting at Royal Randwick racecourse.
The decision means the ATC will upgrade the licensed facilities at the current Rosehill Bowling Club site on the corner of Hassall Street and James Ruse Drive at Rosehill for all members of both Clubs, as well as continue the upkeep and operation of the bowling greens.
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce welcomed the decision of ATC members to pass the resolution.
“We are grateful to ATC members for recognising this great opportunity to enhance Rosehill Gardens, as part of our commitment to Western Sydney,’’ Mr Pearce said.
“The Board and Executive of the ATC have been working very hard over a number of years to develop a masterplan for Rosehill Gardens, including a major entertainment and lifestyle precinct based around a full urban redevelopment of the Camellia Peninsula.
“This has been coupled with the potential for light rail linking Parramatta, Rosehill Gardens and Homebush, along with other lines through the region that would unlock its full potential.
“This vote allows us to bring further landholdings and value to this entertainment precinct which would ultimately include new bowling greens and facilities for the Rosehill Bowling Club.
“The ATC greatly values its relationship with the local community around Rosehill Gardens, as well as our role and contribution as a major part of Western Sydney.’’
ATC members also passed two special resolutions at the Annual General Meeting regarding the election of Club elected directors.
Under the changes to the constitution of the Australian Turf Club Ltd, members in future will be able to vote by direct mail as well as online, along with the current procedures that permit voting in person or by proxy at an AGM.
Subject to final approval by the Minister for Racing, ATC members also voted to allow the re-election of two of the four Club-appointed Directors every two years, as opposed to the current system of re-elction of all four directors every four years.
The Board of the Australian Turf Club also reported to Members yesterday an operating profit for the 2015 financial year of $10.996 million, a record result for the ATC.
