Update: more on the WYD/Randwick racetrack dispute

In follow-up to this post, more details today from the Australian Southern Courier:

The NSW Government told Randwick horse trainers that it would use legislation compelling Randwick Racecourse to be used as the venue for next year's Papal Mass if trainers did not comply with the decision.

Anthony Cummings, president of the Randwick Trainers Association, told the Courier he had been seeking legal avenues to pressure the Government into hosting the mammoth event elsewhere in Sydney.

But after a meeting with Labor MLC John Della Bosca last week, he said he was resigned to the fact that the event would go ahead at Randwick.

While one could look at this situation negatively (i.e., local business is being negatively impacted by the encroachment of WYD) I think there are also two positives:

First, it demonstrates that the Australian government is deeply committed to hosting WYD. This is, from the perspective of the government, just good economic sense, as a WYD brings in a great deal of tourism and related commerce. It also betokens a hopsitable environment to high-profile events of a religious nature.

Second, the WYD representatives are very committed to ensuring that the effected individuals and businesses receive just compensation (quoting from the same article):

World Youth Day officials said they had already adjusted their planning to minimise disruptions for the trainers.

"His Eminence has always wanted us to ensure that we minimise the disruption to the racing community," World Youth Day communications director Jim Hanna said.

"We have been in discussions to assist with relocating those affected for the 10-week period."

A spokesperson for Deputy Premier John Watkins said negotiations about compensation for racecourse users were "ongoing".

Mr Cummings said the State Government had seemed "quite genuine" with regard to compensation talks.

And I think under these circumstances that's the best you can hope for. Moving on!