❓ Mr. McGrath questions the ownership rights of Perth Racing over Ascot Racecourse land and the processes involved in a potential sale. The Minister clarifies the land is held under a Crown Grant in Trust with specific conditions and outlines the legislative requirements for any sale.
AnsweredQoN 3211Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the lease agreement between the Western Australian State Government and the Western Australian Turf Club (now operating as Perth Racing) regarding the use and management of the Ascot Racecourse and I ask: (a) Does Perth Racing have ownership rights of the land currently being used by Ascot Racecourse under the terms of the lease agreement; (b) If yes to (a), what are these ownership rights? Do they include the right to sell the land; (c) If Perth Racing does not own the right to sell the land, which State Government department or agency has the authority to sell the land; (d) Would a decision to sell the land require the consent or agreement of Perth Racing; (e) Can the Minister outline the administrative and consultative processes involved if the land currently being used by Ascot Racecourse was to be sold; (f) Are there conditions specified as part of the lease agreement between the State Government and Perth Racing in the event of a land sale; and (g) If yes to (f), what are the conditions?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 August 2018
Responded by
Minister for Transport; Planning; Lands
Response time
13 days
(a)-(c) The Western Australian Turf Club (WATC) (now operating as Perth Racing) was granted a 999 year lease over Ascot Racecourse, to apply from 11 September 1877, under The Western Australian Turf Club Act 1892. In 1897 the lease was converted to a Crown Grant in Trust.
It is a condition of the Crown Grant in Trust that the land be used solely for activities relating to the running of a public racecourse. If the land is used for a period of more than 12 months for other purposes without the consent of the Governor in Council, it is to revert to the Crown for the benefit of the public.
Consent to sell the land can be given only by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister administering the Land Administration Act.
(d) Perth Racing (WATC) would need to be consulted and to be in agreement for any sale to proceed, unless there was a breach of the conditions of the Crown Grant in Trust.
(e)-(g) Any sale of Ascot Racecourse land would need to be undertaken in compliance with the Western Australian Turf Club (Property) Act 1944 and the Land Administration Act 1997.
It is a condition of the Crown Grant in Trust that the land be used solely for activities relating to the running of a public racecourse. If the land is used for a period of more than 12 months for other purposes without the consent of the Governor in Council, it is to revert to the Crown for the benefit of the public.
Consent to sell the land can be given only by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister administering the Land Administration Act.
(d) Perth Racing (WATC) would need to be consulted and to be in agreement for any sale to proceed, unless there was a breach of the conditions of the Crown Grant in Trust.
(e)-(g) Any sale of Ascot Racecourse land would need to be undertaken in compliance with the Western Australian Turf Club (Property) Act 1944 and the Land Administration Act 1997.
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