On 4 July 2025, the Minister for Lands and Property appointed Mr Simon Spicer as independent Administrator of the Queanbeyan Racecourse Reserve for a period of six months.

As statutory land manager responsible for the Reserve, Mr Spicer’s role will be to manage the Reserve and ensure compliance with the Crown Land Management Act 2016.

The Administrator is tasked with developing a proposed management model for a future ongoing Crown land manager of the Reserve, and his duties include:

• overseeing the care, control and management of the Reserve
• reviewing all user agreements (including leases, licences and assignments) on the reserve in line with requirements of the Act and clarifying ownership of any improvements
• identifying and addressing any compliance issues
• managing governance and financial aspects of the Reserve.

As a public facility located on Crown land, it is important to ensure the racecourse meets legislative requirements, including planning and other regulations, to protect the public interest and ensure compliant and safe operations.

Meeting with lessees at the racecourse and understanding their circumstances as racecourse users is an important part of the Administrator’s work.

Once the Administrator has completed his enquiries, recommendations will be made to Crown Lands on any requirements to address management or compliance matters.

Crown Lands will then provide further advice to the Minister on options for the ongoing management of the Reserve.

If you have any questions, or wish to provide the Administrator with any information that may assist, please contact [email protected].

Racing is continuing at Queanbeyan Racecourse, which plays an important role in delivering social, economic, cultural, and recreational benefits for the local community.