Faafoi Kris: Riccarton Racecourse Development Enabling Bill Riccarton Racecourse Bill — First ReadingsText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFaafoi Kris: Riccarton Racecourse Development Enabling Bill Riccarton Racecourse Bill — First Readings[Sitting date: 03 November 2015. Volume:709;Page:7576. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]KRIS FAAFOI (Labour—Mana): I note the coincidence of our debating the Riccarton Racecourse Development Enabling Bill and the Riccarton Racecourse Bill on the biggest day of Australasia’s racing calendar Melbourne Cup day and I think in about an hour all the competitors will be entering the gates. My money is on Who Shot Thebarman and the lazy money is on the Prince of Penzance which was paying about $97 when I last checked so it has got absolutely no show. So that is money that is gone.But having said that Riccarton Racecourse itself is an important piece of I guess social infrastructure for Christchurch and about 138 years ago a piece of legislation was put in place to protect the land that is Riccarton Racecourse for the purpose of racing in Canterbury. I was not there but when it was put there Riccarton Racecourse was out in the country. Because it was seen as an important piece of infrastructure that land was protected in legislation and because of the events of an earthquake we are now here legislating to amend that legislation to release some of the land that has been protected under that legislation for much-needed housing in Christchurch. Obviously there is high demand for more housing in Christchurch because of the events of the earthquakes in 2011 and in 2010 and 600 more homes will be built on these about 40 hectares I believe that will be released around the corner of Steadman Road and Yaldhurst Road.I grew up in Christchurch. I spent more time at Addington Raceway but Riccarton Racecourse for the gallops is obviously an important event especially in the next coming week—show week—where cup day will be held on Saturday.There is some debate and that will be had at the select committee as to whether or not there is enough housing set aside under this project that is deemed affordable in the quantum and also in the price. Colleagues have made the point in this first reading debate as to whether we think that the level of what we think is affordable in Christchurch which has been set by the Government is the right level. We will support the debate being had at the select committee. There is a line in the sand but I think given what has gone on there and the affordability of houses in general in Christchurch and the lack of affordable housing for those who are really struggling in Christchurch whether or not we have got that setting right—as many of our speakers on this side of the House have said we are supporting this piece of legislation so that that will be fully debated at the select committee.I would like to congratulate all the parties involved in this actually—the Christchurch City Council Ngāi Tahu the Canterbury Jockey Club and the Riccarton Racecourse—because I think they have found a pragmatic solution to problems that they each have. Obviously the housing issue will be addressed with bringing 600 new homes online—the city council you know freeing up land—but as our racing spokesperson it also addresses an issue that the Canterbury Jockey Club has. It faces issues just like all the other racing clubs around the country—as do most sports clubs actually—about how it raises money to run its operations and importantly for racing clubs about how it raises prize money. The ability of Riccarton Racecourse to release this land to go into a partnership with Ngāi Tahu and to hopefully make some profit out of the development will allow them to keep up the racecourse; to develop the sport in Canterbury which is very important; but also hopefully to generate some more prize money because the racing industry as we see it now is struggling right around the country with a lot of clubs really struggling to do the basics.So in one way this obviously is designed to deal with a housing issue but it also allows the Canterbury Jockey Club and the Riccarton Racecourse to deal with a serious issue around cash flow and making themselves fit for the future. So in that respect I think it is very forward-looking from a racing perspective to be able to let the Canterbury Jockey Club and the Riccarton Racecourse get some more revenue. They have struggled alongside the rest of the city to keep themselves going and I believemy colleague Megan Woods said that at the time of the earthquake Riccarton Racecourse became a very important part of the community to farewell those who had passed away.So to make sure that this racecourse stays strong—it is an important part of the city. Our forefathers knew that 140 years ago and protected it but we do need to release some of this land now to make sure there is more housing and there is more investment for the race club to make sure racing is strong in Christchurch.