10/07/2025
The equestrian facilities in Cromwell are at risk of losing the cross country course - submissions close July 14th!
The council are proposing to develop the Equestrian park in Cromwell into a multi use sports space, removing a large amount of the cross country course, available grazing, and competition spaces in order to put in facilities for ball sports.
The land was vested by the historical owners to be retained as a horse racing and equestrian facility, in order to ensure there is always ample space for equestrian sports in the area. Volunteers have created the regions only XC course which is open to the public for competitions and training, with the help of thousands of volunteer labor hours, fundraising dollars, and sponsorship. For reference, the nearest alternative option to Queenstown is Invercargill.
The land is currently leased until 2042 to the Cromwell Equestrian Club and is widely utilised by the local Pony Clubs and other equestrian groups. The council is seemingly disregarding the lease and planning to build sports fields on the XC course as early as 2030.
It would be a huge loss to equestrians past, future, and present to lose this incredible facility - Please consider sending in a submission prior to July 14th.
Adults and Children submission options are on the Central Otago District Council website, Let's Talk page. Please have a think about also Speaking to Your Submission, you are given five minutes to reinforce your submission, please tick the box.
https://lets-talk.codc.govt.nz/cromwell-racecourse-reserve-management-plan?fbclid=IwY2xjawLcKopleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFtZkd2MkVIQ3c5UUJXOXIxAR6iqoNGF-UhGA71q8iv9dk_yTr14ARSjzcnSzjwRmJI9Ata7wzAjUE8LYC59Q_aem_BQmLIBp0EGRwqxg6lGy4-w
Let the CODC representatives know how this is affecting our riders. We are a Team and need to work together to keep our Equestrian facilities.
SUPPORT FOR YOUR SUBMISSION - Thankyou to Janice Jones who has put together this extensive list
Here are some topics for your submissions:
International NZ equestrians like Sir Mark Todd, Tim and Jonelle Price, Clarke Johnston, and many more, started their career thru pony club, if our riders are restricted by losing equestrian opportunities, how are they going to get to the Olympics?
Reducing the equestrian area how this will affect our riders and horses.
Central Lakes Equestrian Club has the lease for the Racecourse Reserve until 2042, how can CODC renege on this lease?
Why can't Anderson Park and Alpha Street grounds be configured and timetabled better?
Surely there must be other available grounds that would suit rugby and football better, especially for kids getting to and from grounds.
At some stage, Cromwell College should go upwards for building more classes rather than use more land.
Pony Clubs Annual Training Camp, will the reduction in equestrian space and facilities affect our coaching and training camp.
Is there are CODC plans for equestrian in other areas of CODC to compensate for losing the Cromwell space.
Security for the grazers and also security at our events, other venues suffer from brazen thefts during events.
Security for the grazers with people and unattended children wandering thru the grazer area, maybe feeding horses, maybe opening gates or paddocks, frightening horses, stealing property.
Dogs, seems rugby and football matches always have a lot of dogs wandering around, what is CODC proposing to keep dogs away from our events and grazers.
Interim mayor Tamah was filming herself wandering around the grazing area and going near the horses, is she saying this is ok?
Female participation in sport, we need to keep encouraging this. If we lose equestrian space, we lose female riders.
Grazing, it is very hard to find grazing if you don't own property, does CODC see a reduction in grazing space or quality? Is there still going to be room for the racehorses that come and stay during the summer periods to train?
Grazing, will the costs go up?
Health and safety, will grazers have to complete 20 page application forms?
Bookings, if CODC takes over the bookings, how will the regular equestrian and impromptu events be handled? Again will there be pages and pages of compliance and application forms.
User fees, will there be bonds, increases, etc.
Cross country training, THIS IS THE ONLY available course in Otago that is open pretty much most of the year for training, this is a very valuable asset for our equestrian riders of all ages, who come from all over to train at Cromwell.
Water and irrigation, we really need water in the cross country paddocks and in the grazing areas. There is not enough now, how will they water rugby and football fields?
Buildings, the old stables, yard, etc, what else might we lose?
Large scale equestrian events, we will lose these if the cross country is restricted and unable to be up to the required standards? (It must be a certain length in order to accomodate upper level tracks)
These events bring money into Cromwell, via food, restaurants, accommodation, supermarkets, horse feed suppliers, fuel stations, liquor stores, etc
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