Tauranga City Council has denied suggestions that they’ve already decided to bring 150 years of horse racing to an end in the city.

Tauranga Racecourse Reserve, in the suburb of Greerton, is currently the subject of a study looking to cement the future use of the 85-hectare site.

After whittling down their options to a final three, council officials recently revealed that their preferred choice (option A) would see a new public hospital built on the site alongside parkland and the existing 18-hole golf course.

Failing that, council stated they would move to option B, which would be comprised of green parkland, sports fields and “community spaces” alongside the golf course. Neither of their preferred choices include the city’s racetrack and pavilion.

The third option out for consultation, labelled the “enhanced status quo”, would incorporate all existing users, which includes Racing Tauranga and Tauranga Equestrian Sports Association as well as the golf club.

While Racing Tauranga chairman Carl McComb doesn’t believe the racecourse’s fate is set in stone, other board members remain deeply sceptical, with one accusing the council of “nobbling” the racecourse via a ranking system that they claimed “handicapped” them as a viable option.

The same board member, who has asked to remain anonymous, also claimed that, as far as they’re concerned, a conclusion has already been reached.

“They say in their press release that if option A does not proceed, then option B will proceed,” they said. “When I read that I thought the decision has already been made. That’s why I say they’ve nobbled the racecourse out.

“They go on to say that they’re still gathering submissions from the public, and they’ll make a decision in December, but as far as I can see they’ve already made their decision.”

This accusation is refuted by council’s Christine Jones, general manager: strategy, growth and governance.

“It means that option A is council‘s preferred option,” she said, “and if the hospital’s business case does not go ahead and support the relocation of health services, then council would prefer to go with option B.

“This is about being transparent. If council said they only preferred option A, and then a health services precinct did not go ahead on this site, the community deserves to know what council’s preferred fall back provision would be.

“One of the key reasons the study was started was to provide certainty for existing users. Council is ensuring this process responds to that need.”

The board member also expressed concern around the way the study is being managed, claiming council officials are effectively “driving it in the direction that they want to”.

“They put forward options then tore them down with their own self-made rating scheme. They’ve already made the decision, and that decision is the racecourse has gone.

“They’re misrepresenting the whole process. They’re providing lip service to it by saying they’re going through an open and transparent public consultation process, but they're actually steering it.”

When this assertion was put to council, Jones admitted it was council’s job to guide the process, but said claims that a decision has already been made were wide of the mark.

“Council has made up its mind on its preferred option and shared that with the community for feedback through a consultation process,” she said. “Council has not decided on what the outcome will be.

“That will occur after the consultation feedback has been received and considered, and the hearings and the deliberations have taken place.

“Council is required to steer the process – it is a legislative requirement and demonstrates transparency in local leadership and governance.”

A decision by Tauranga City Council’s Commission is expected before Christmas.

Racing Tauranga chairman McComb remained optimistic about the racecourse’s chances of extending their stay beyond the expiration date of their current lease, which does not run out until June 30, 2039.

“Our position hasn’t changed,” he said. “We encourage the Commissioners to move on option three, with an improved status quo.

“We have a vision that we’d like to proceed with, to show how we can fit in with future community use as our population increases.

“We don’t believe it's a done deal, and we believe the options are still valid in terms of public submissions. We don’t believe it’s a fait accompli at this stage.”

He also pointed to a Treaty of Waitangi Act claim that was lodged by Ngāi Tamarāwaho hapū representatives in February – a claim which will be triggered should council’s final decision embrace anything other than a continuation of the site’s reserve status.

Despite housing being taken off the table as an option earlier this year, it is understood a new health facility would prompt a similar response from mana whenua.

“Iwi have made it very clear from the outset that it is a reserve for the community, and if that status changes then they need to be front and centre and those discussions,” said McComb.

“Option A would affect the status of the land, and that would take us back to the initial treaty negotiations. They’re making it very clear that if it’s to be anything other than a reserve, they need to be right there. They’ve been very clear about that from the start.”

Council have confirmed that a “Racing Working Group” has been set up to get ahead of the subject of relocation, should the need arise.

The group, led by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), includes Racing Tauranga, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Rotorua District Council.

“It has been set up to work through potential relocation options,” said Jones. “The group is in the initial stages of identifying potential future suitable sites, but it’s too soon to be able to share any such locations.

“After attending the first meeting, Rotorua Racing Club decided to not be a member but will provide information as required to the group as the group works through the process.”

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has been contacted but declined to comment further, other than to confirm that a meeting between officials from Racing Tauranga and Rotorua Racing Club has taken place.

“Racing Tauranga and Rotorua Racing Club have been asked by NZTR to work together on what the future of racing will be for the region,” said Jones.

Council also revealed that NZTR is “of the view that thoroughbred racing in the region may be best sustained in the long-term if there is only one venue for racing in the region”.

McComb, however, remains unperturbed. “Throughout the process we’ve always indicated that our intention is to have our lease renewed,” he said.

“However, if that's not the case we’re quite open to participating in a working group on relocation.

“The question is what does that mean? Where’s the funding coming from? What land is available? If it comes to it, we’re happy to explore those questions. In good faith, we’re open to that kind of study.

“But we still believe our inner-city racecourse is a special piece of land – and keeping it that way is the optimum outcome.”

The Racing Tauranga board member, however, said while an alternative site “sounds like a good idea”, they suggested council would “steer away from the fact that nobody has the money to do it”.

“When Winston Peters was looking at alternative sites a number of years ago, he estimated the cost to be around $100 million,” they said. “Where exactly is that coming from? And where is this site?

“Housing was at the top of council’s agenda before it was dropped like a hot potato, now it’s all about a new hospital.

“They’re simply trying to get rid of the racecourse,” they alleged. “That’s what it looks like.”

In response, Jones said: “It’s unknown at present what the exact costs will be, as costs will depend on the site identified, the land’s status and conditions.

“The funding of a relocation will be worked through as part of the racing working group and may include a mixture of funding sources.”

Jones also added that the option of a new hospital was not “late in the process”, but rather a choice which arose after the study began in October 2021 following an approach by Bay of Plenty District Health Board the following month.

“The DHB approached council in November 2021 to suggest they were developing a business case around the potential placement for their services,” she said.

“It was not late in the process, but it was something that the wider community had not heard discussed by the DHB prior to the Greerton Maarawaewae Study.

“A hospital/health precinct option was added to the options due to it being such a significant potential opportunity for the wider Bay of Plenty region.”

Credit: stuff.co.nz