Burswood racetrack: Details scarce on Labor-Crown talks over $217m project’s land grab but support still firm

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti has insisted the State does not plan to spend taxpayer dollars on purchasing land from Crown for its Burswood racetrack and amphitheatre, while the hotel’s boss kept tight-lipped on negotiations. With plans for a racetrack as part of an entertainment precinct in Burswood appearing to cut into land owned by Crown, the Opposition has raised questions over the terms of the State acquiring the land. On Wednesday, Ms Saffioti reaffirmed that the Government would not be spending money on the land. “We’re going through all the details in relation to the design and that design is happening right now,” she said. “We’re very confident with the budget that we set forward and being within that budget.” When pushed further on whether a payment would be made, Ms Saffioti said paying for the land was not the intention. “It’s not our plan to do that,” she said. Asked the same question in a separate press conference on Wednesday, Crown Perth chief executive officer Brian Pereira declined to answer, citing confidentiality. Mr Pereira said conversations were ongoing and the business were supportive of the precinct plans. “I’m sure you’d appreciate any conversations we’re having with Government on that piece of land is confidential and will remain confidential, we’re working collaborative with them,” he said. “It’s a process, we are very supportive of the Perth entertainment and sporting precinct, I think anything that drives tourism and drives football to the peninsula in particular is a good thing.”