Penrith GC clubhouse and surrounds.

THE board of the Seven Hills RSL club has written to all golf members of Penrith GC, outlining the current discussions between itself, the Australian Turf Club (ATC) and the State Government in regard to the potential sale of the Penrith golf course.

The board writes: ‘As part of its proposal to transition racing and training facilities from Rosehill Gardens to alternative venues, the ATC and the NSW Government have identified Penrith golf course as a site that has the potential to accommodate a new racecourse and associated amenities. The two bodies then approached the Board of Directors of Seven Hills RSL Club to discuss the viability of a potential purchase of the land.

The Board writes, as a courtesy, to advise Penrith golf members that the Seven Hills RSL Club has entered a preliminary exploratory discussion only, with the ATC, about a potential sale of our land for future racing infrastructure, which includes a new state of the art racetrack, training facilities, hospitality and lifestyle venue.

The ATC is currently running a dual track process to further its plans for racing in NSW:

1. It is pursuing an Unsolicited Proposal process with the NSW Government that proposes the sale of Rosehill Gardens for conversion into a residential community of 25,000 new homes serviced by a new metro station.

2. It is hosting an Extraordinary General Meeting on 27 May 2025, where its members will determine if they support the proposal to sell Rosehill Gardens and allocate the proceeds to new and upgraded racing facilities elsewhere in Greater Sydney.

It is important to note that no agreement for the sale of our land in the future could occur, unless both of these processes are successful.

It is also important to note that our Club’s approach to any discussions about the sale of our land must have a significant net benefit to all our members.

In short, this would include the following outcomes:

• The sale would only go ahead if we can secure a new golf course of equal or better standard than Penrith golf course, in the Penrith area, for current and future Golf Members.

• The offer for purchase of the Penrith golf course would have to be of a significant financial benefit to all our members.

• Current members would be afforded certain reciprocal rights (ATC membership, use of ancillary facilities etc) at any future facilities developed on our land by the ATC.

• The ATC would have to demonstrate the benefits of the move to the City of Penrith and what the future may look like. This would include the benefits such as employment, tourist, entertainment etc.

• Should the above occur and we agree on a sale, we would not have to vacate Penrith Golf Course until 1st January 2030.

Benefits to Members if the sale proceeds:

• Penrith Golf Membership Fees would not increase for a period of at least 10 years (after moving to the new course) for all current members as at 10th May 2025.

• Seven Hills RSL Group would be in a position to provide all it’s members with facilities at reasonable prices to help them with the current cost of living crisis (food, beverages, membership etc).

• Continue to reinvest in all our members facilities i.e. buildings, golf courses, bowling greens, etc.

• It would also allow the Board to future proof the Club against any Government regulatory changes, i.e. gaming machines, increased taxes on gaming, smoking, etc.

• We would continue to own and operate Penrith Clubhouse and car park after the sale of the Golf Course.

Members, as part of the Board’s responsibilities regarding Corporate Governance, it must investigate opportunities presented to them that are of potential benefit to all its Members, in both the short term and the long term, to ensure the viability of the organisation. This is the reason we are engaged in these discussions, and we hope you, the Member, understand that we are only entering into these discussions as it is being driven by the NSW Government’s vision to create more housing in Sydney.

The Board asks the Members to understand that these discussions are at a preliminary stage only and many pieces would need to fall into place before any future sale may occur.