How does a jewel of Australia’s sporting heritage teeter on the brink of demolition while those entrusted with its care look the other way?
The Clarendon Equestrian Grounds located within the Hawkesbury Showground — once the proud beating heart of New South Wales equestrian sport — now stand in limbo, silenced by political paralysis and a dangerous abdication of responsibility.
The Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association (HDAA) seeks to bulldoze it to make way for trade shows and car parking. Hawkesbury City Council — tasked with managing this land in trust — washes its hands, hiding behind “legal advice” and cozy relationships. The result? $2,000,000 worth of sporting infrastructure destroyed and a $150,000–$200,000 demolition bill the equestrian community is being asked to shoulder and a generational asset is lost.
Why Clarendon matters
The Clarendon Grounds are one of only two public equestrian venues of its kind in greater Sydney. They have been a cornerstone of Australian equestrian sport for over three decades. From monthly grassroots competitions to elite-level training, the facility has served Olympians such as Shane Rose, Stuart Tinney, Rozzie Ryan, Rachael Downs and Jayden Brown. Para-equestrian champions, amateur riders, and local Pony Clubs have all called it home.
Public money built Clarendon. Public money maintained it. And now, HDAA seeks to erase it — without transparent consultation, without justification, and, by several accounts, in breach of its Crown Land obligations. The arrogance of this decision cannot be overstated.
The lead up to demolition
For ten long months, the equestrian community fought to be heard. They gathered thousands of signatures, rallied support from state and national bodies, and placed their trust in local government. What they received instead was silence, diversion, and a process designed to fail.
When demolition of Clarendon’s arenas first loomed, the Mayor assured riders and clubs that he had their interests at heart. Yet rather than bring the matter to Council transparently, he appointed an intermediary and kept councillors in the dark. While Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association (HDAA) dug its heels in, the community was strung along, losing time, trust, and the opportunity for genuine negotiation.
When councillors finally learned the truth of the situation they rallied and called an Extraordinary General Meeting and unanimously passed a resolution that both parties should negotiate in good faith and find a suitable solution. Council even offered independent mediation to assist in negotiations. HDAA refused every attempt at mediation, brushed off Council’s unanimous resolution, and rejected a detailed sub-lease proposal from ENSW without reason or discussion. The message was clear: demolition was the only outcome they would tolerate. Councillor Zamprogno persisted and further motion was put to council, again attempting to bring HDAA to the table, but council denied the motion declaring they could not force HDAA to negotiate.
At the heart of this debacle lies a fundamental failure of governance. Crown Land is held in trust for the people. Hawkesbury City Council, as Crown Land Manager, has both the authority and the duty to enforce compliance and protect the public interest. Yet councillors were told their hands were tied — even as legal advice acknowledged breaches of HDAA’s lease. Instead of defending a $2 million public and community funded facility, Council chose inaction, citing confidentiality and political convenience.
HDAA’s position: Focus on financial sustainability
HDAA cannot demolish the arenas without the appropriate development approval and the consent of the Minister for Crown Lands which owns the land, buildings and improvements.
In a formal letter to Council, HDAA stated that ENSW’s sub-lease proposal “did not provide the necessary financial and operational outcomes” and failed to support the Association’s “strategic objectives as a largely volunteer-based and self-funded association.” This is not correct as the proposal included a business and revenue model based on operational history that demonstrated a minimum annual income to HDAA of $108,000.00 p/a. It also detailed a full management and operational plan.
HDAA is not as it claims a self-funded organisation and has received government grants in excess of $3 million since 2019, including $595,000 relating to equestrian infrastructure at the Showground.
Equestrian activities fit perfectly within the remit of an agricultural society operating on Crown Land. Hawkesbury City Council’s most recent strategy paper also highlights the importance of equestrian activities and the valuable contribution it delivers to the region supporting the economy, tourism and community engagement. It’s the cornerstone of our agricultural heritage. While HDAA claims it remains open to hosting equestrian events on other areas of the showground, the dedicated equestrian arena space, which occupies 8% of the total showground space, remains slated for repurposing — pending approval.
What’s next
The equestrian community has done its part. They have mobilised, organised, and offered viable solutions. The failure lies squarely with those entrusted with stewardship: a Council unwilling to act, and a lessee determined to erase decades of history.
The NSW Government must step in to broker a resolution, block demolition and compel a new leasing arrangement in line with the site’s public recreation designation.
Hawkesbury Council must remember its role is to protect public assets, serve public interests and build public trust. Public land must serve the public good.
This is not just about Clarendon. It is about the integrity of Crown Land management in New South Wales. If a facility of this calibre can be erased at whim, despite clear community demand and proven value, then every equestrian club and every sporting group using public land, has reason to be very concerned.
Meanwhile, the campaign to “Save Clarendon” is growing louder. Riders, clubs, State and Federal sporting bodies are uniting behind a simple message: This ground is too valuable to lose.
Jeff Oliver
Save Clarendon
You can read more about Clarendon dressage grounds via Roger Fitzhardinge’s article in the September 2024 issue of Equestrian Life here.
