Wentworth Park Sporting Complex Land Manager ABN 24 468 901 017 Address: Land Manager Office Wattle Street, GLEBE NSW 2037 Postal Address: PO Box 225 GLEBE NSW 2037 Telephone: (02) 9552 1799 Facsimile: (02) 9660 2001 Email: [email protected] Website: www.wentworthparksport.com.au Business hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday Auditor: The Audit Office of New South Wales Bankers: National Australia Bank, Eastwood Solicitors: Manion McCosker 2 Administrators Report The Hon. Rob Stokes MP, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Dear Minister This is the first Annual Report to be presented by the Wentworth Park Sporting Complex Land Manager following the implementation of revised legislation effective from 1 July 2018, where the former Trust transitioned to be- come the Land Manager. I would like to thank officials responsible for Crown Lands for the provision of information and personal briefings that have facilitated a very smooth transition. The term of the previous Trust Board expired on 26 May 2016. From 27 May 2016 pursuant to the Crown Lands Act 1989, the Minister Responsible for Crown Lands appointed an Administrator in the absence of a Trust Board. My appointment as Administrator commenced on 27 August 2016 for a period of two years. In August 2018, I was appointed Land Manager Administrator for a further 12 month term commencing on 27 August 2018. Following the Government’s decision in November 2016 to enable Greyhound Racing to continue in NSW, activities at Wentworth Park have entered a period of stability and of “business as usual”. Our relationship with the holder of the licence deed to conduct greyhound race meetings, the Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Associa- tion has remained very positive. During the year, long term Chief Executive, Brenton Scott left the Association. I would like to thank Brenton for his support and cooperation during my time as Administrator. The new General Manager, Steve Noyce, took up his appointment in June 2019. In October 2018 the world’s richest greyhound event, the Million Dollar Chase was held at Wentworth Park. Prepa- rations involved substantial track works undertaken by Greyhound Racing NSW. Together with the contribution by the Land Manager to general improvements at the Wentworth Park Complex, the overall presentation of the facili- ty led many involved to comment that it was the best it had been for many years and added to the success of the event. A key priority during the year continued to be ensuring that the facilities and equipment are maintained to a satis- factory standard to meet the needs of all users of Wentworth Park and to comply with health, safety and security requirements. Storm activities in the Sydney region on 28 November 2018 caused significant flooding to the underground area of the Wentworth Park grandstand. Remedial works were required to repair damage to lifts, water pumps, air condi- tioning and electrical equipment. These costs have been recovered through our insurance arrangements. I would like to express my thanks to officers of the NSW Government Department responsible for administering Crown Lands for their assistance and advice during the year. I would like to thank the General Manager, Anne Lloyd and staff of the Land Manager for their contribution to the operation and management of the Land Manager and Wentworth Park. I would also extend my appreciation to the users of the Land Manager facilities for their cooper- ation during the year. Rod Gilmour Administrator 3 OUR MISSION To manage and administer the affairs of the facility so the care, control and management of the Wentworth Park Sporting Complex is handled in a professional, competent and accountable manner. 4 PROFILE OF WENTWORTH on a viaduct thereby cutting off the northern end of the Park. PARK The commencement of hostilities in World War I led to a downturn in patronage of the Park’s amenities, although community functions, such as stretcher drills and polling, were carried out Charter here. The main effect of WW1 on the Park was the introduction of many timber sheds used to The Wentworth Park Sporting Complex Land Manager has its legislative base within Part 3, store wool for the war effort. These sheds Division 3.2 - 3.3 of the Crown Land Manage- stayed at the Park for several years after the war. ment Act 2016, which gives authority to the Minister responsible for Crown Lands to estab- After the war the Trustees began to experience lish and name a Land Manager and the functions serious financial difficulties; income was limited, of the Land Manager. and expenses were considerable. Various avenues were explored to remedy the situation, including speedway proposals, tin hare Historical Summary coursing, fun park proposals and the lease and Wentworth Park commenced life as a creek and sale of various sections of the Park. The onset of swamp variously known, from the 1830s, as the Depression and the naive handling of these Blackwattle Cove, Swamp, Brook etc. Between arrangements, led to the eventual failure of most the 1830s and 1860 various noxious industries of these enterprises and one legal case. The were established along the shore. The pollution speedway, however, did get off the ground and from these works so befouled the swamp that, continued through to the 1930s. even after the removal of these establishments from the area, the local council lobbied to have the area infilled because of the stench that rose from the water and mud. Infilling of the creek and head of the swamp commenced in 1876 and continued until 1880. Silt dredged from the harbour was used to carry out the process and numerous sea walls and dykes were constructed. When the area was filled, Trustees were appointed to manage the new Park and a competition was announced to design the new facility. Numerous complaints were received regarding the management of this competition but the construction commenced and, by 1882, opinion had turned favourably to the new ovals, greens, paths, lakes and other facilities offered in the Park. It was named Wentworth after the politician of the same name. The early years of the twentieth century saw the beginning of the removal of the 19th century landscape features. The lakes were removed in 1910 and the construction of the wool sheds led to the removal of the northern sports ground. During this period the railway also contributed to this trend; the rail was run through the Park 5 In 1932 greyhounds made their first appearance at In the mid-1980s construction costs for the new the Park. From then on the facilities supporting grandstand blew out, resulting in a financial rescue this activity assumed greater importance. package being provided through the Racecourse Development Fund, a TAB administered fund. A The commencement of World War II caused the further consequence was that the Government alienation of the oval and most of the open space. moved the NSW Greyhound Breeders Owners and It was used by the American Army as a camp and Trainers Association (GBOTA), who at that time they remained for the duration of the war. The were racing at nearby Harold Park, to share the rest of the Park was again taken over by wool Complex and running costs. stores. The only section that remained in direct control of the Trust was the playground associated In November 2008 the NCA terminated its Licence with a kindergarten established in 1916. to relocate its racing operation to Newcastle. The termination ended a 70 year history of NCA racing After WWII the Trust acted to remove the wool at Wentworth Park and represents a milestone in stores and landscape the area. This was finally the story of Glebe. completed in the 1950s. Meanwhile, the facilities at the Park continued to decline, with rooms and The NCA was responsible for the introduction of amenities created in the infilled viaduct arches greyhound racing to Sydney and, in particular, the compromising the architectural integrity of the association of the sport with Wentworth Park. structure. They were responsible for construction of heritage buildings within the Complex as well as the current The Trust, in an effort to provide funding, entered grandstand. The NCA has since discontinued its into a lease agreement with the New South Wales racing operations. The Licence continues today National Coursing Association (NCA) in 1939 which with the GBOTA as sole licensee. The deed expires continued until 1985. in 2027. By the 1970s large crowds attended race meetings and the outer park was utilised extensively for car parking, a practice that in later years would divide local opinion. In the 1980s the NCA undertook construction of a grandstand to accommodate what it envisaged to be the continued expansion of patronage. As it turned out, the decision proved unwise and was the catalyst for significant change in fortune for the NCA. Ultimately NCA ceased trading as a greyhound racing club. 6 In 1990 trusteeship of the outer areas of the Park, Objectives both north and south of the Sporting Complex, passed to the Council of the City of Sydney. In The basic concepts from which the main objectives 2009, however, the Minister responsible for Crown are derived are; efficiency and effectiveness in the Lands returned a portion of the southern outer administration of a significant public asset, quality park to the control of the Land Manager. maintenance of facility standards, recognition of Since 1991 the upper levels of the grandstand the historical importance of the Reserve and the have been fitted out as office accommodation. encouragement and integration of community Originally this was to house the Department of based sporting activities within the Complex. Sport and Recreation. More recently under lease In summary the Land Manager aims for: to educational, examination, testing and computer • Maximisation of use software development organisations, as well as GBOTA and, major greyhound sponsor, Ladbrokes.