Latest news with #MetroWest
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Police respond to report that men 'brandished gun' at Ashland MA train station
Two men who are accused of brandishing a firearm on Thursday, May 29, at the MBTA Commuter Rail station platform in Ashland sparked a large police presence, authorities said. Police have charged the two men, who are both in their 20s, according to a press release from the Ashland Police Department. According to the release, police from Ashland, Framingham and Hopkinton, as well as the MBTA Transit Police, responded at 4:23 p.m. Thursday to the platform after fielding a 911 call. The caller told police that Commuter Rail employees removed two men from the train and that the pair 'were observed brandishing a firearm,' according to the release. More: How MetroWest benefits from MA transit agency's $9.8 billion capital investment plan Upon arrival, police, along with several police dogs, soon found the first suspect walking near the station. When the man saw police, he pulled a mask over his face and put both of his hands in his pockets, according to the release. Police stopped the man and took him into custody. When they frisked him, they found a 9mm Glock high-capacity magazine, police said in the release. Witnesses told police the second man had run into some nearby woods. Police found him soon after and took him into custody. He did not possess a gun, police said in the release. 'This incident highlights the dedication and bravery of the men and woman of the Ashland Police Department' Deputy Police Chief Michael Viniciulla said in a statement. 'The residents of Ashland can remain confident in the commitment of their police department to public safety at all times.' The two men, both of Marlborough, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon; possession of a firearm without an FID card; and carrying a firearm without a permit. More: MetroWest transit agency has new, larger buses for its busiest route One man was also charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The second man was also charged with possession of ammunition without an FID card and possession of a large capacity feeding device. The case is being investigated by the MBTA Transit Police. They could not be reached for comment on Friday, May 30. Both suspects were arraigned Friday in Framingham District Court. Judge Michael Callahan ordered both held without bail, pending hearings to determine whether they are dangers to the public. One man's hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 2, and the second man's hearing is Wednesday, June 4. Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@ For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Two men charged in gun incident at Ashland MBTA commuter rail station
The Age
6 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Rosehill won't become a mini-city, but there's a Plan B just down the metro line
The contentious plan to make Rosehill Gardens racecourse a mini-city of 25,000 homes has failed, but the 'Plan B' that Premier Chris Minns said he was searching for could be one metro stop away: Sydney Olympic Park. The former chief planner for NSW has called on the Minns government to develop the hectares of underused public land into a 'TOD-like' precinct centred around its future metro station. Gary White, who was the planning leader for NSW from 2015 to 2019, said the government should rip up an under-review masterplan for the site, which he said severely 'undercooked' the level of development possible, and replace it with a liberal zoning plan resembling those in the government's transport-oriented development (TOD) precincts which allow higher buildings. 'Here is what is in effect a greenfield site right in the middle of the metropolitan fabric of Sydney, where you don't have incredibly fragmented land ownership patterns, where it's not difficult to assemble realistic development options going forward,' said White, who now works as chief planner at Solve Property, which represents several clients in the affected area. 'Just align it with what the government is saying around density and TODs as opposed to putting forward a product that doesn't necessarily reflect that conversation.' The call comes following the narrow defeat of a long-mooted plan for the state to purchase Rosehill racecourse, just east of Parramatta, for $5 billion, and turn it into a 'mini-city' of 25,000 homes. But it also comes as the state government and the agency responsible for the Olympic Games area, the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA), consider a new masterplan that currently budgets for just 13,000 homes. Last month the Herald revealed SOPA was considering seriously increasing zoning allowances to allow more homes in the suburb. Metro West, which will run between the Sydney CBD and Westmead from 2032, will have a stop at Sydney Olympic Park. Given the line's 'incredible connectivity' to the rest of Sydney, the population needed to be denser, White said. 'We start to look at the population yields that we're getting, you're undercooking it … Take it up to a 70,000 population figure, something more attuned to the level of investment that's gone into crafting that infrastructure.'
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rosehill won't become a mini-city, but there's a Plan B just down the metro line
The contentious plan to make Rosehill Gardens racecourse a mini-city of 25,000 homes has failed, but the 'Plan B' that Premier Chris Minns said he was searching for could be one metro stop away: Sydney Olympic Park. The former chief planner for NSW has called on the Minns government to develop the hectares of underused public land into a 'TOD-like' precinct centred around its future metro station. Gary White, who was the planning leader for NSW from 2015 to 2019, said the government should rip up an under-review masterplan for the site, which he said severely 'undercooked' the level of development possible, and replace it with a liberal zoning plan resembling those in the government's transport-oriented development (TOD) precincts which allow higher buildings. 'Here is what is in effect a greenfield site right in the middle of the metropolitan fabric of Sydney, where you don't have incredibly fragmented land ownership patterns, where it's not difficult to assemble realistic development options going forward,' said White, who now works as chief planner at Solve Property, which represents several clients in the affected area. 'Just align it with what the government is saying around density and TODs as opposed to putting forward a product that doesn't necessarily reflect that conversation.' The call comes following the narrow defeat of a long-mooted plan for the state to purchase Rosehill racecourse, just east of Parramatta, for $5 billion, and turn it into a 'mini-city' of 25,000 homes. But it also comes as the state government and the agency responsible for the Olympic Games area, the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA), consider a new masterplan that currently budgets for just 13,000 homes. Last month the Herald revealed SOPA was considering seriously increasing zoning allowances to allow more homes in the suburb. Metro West, which will run between the Sydney CBD and Westmead from 2032, will have a stop at Sydney Olympic Park. Given the line's 'incredible connectivity' to the rest of Sydney, the population needed to be denser, White said. 'We start to look at the population yields that we're getting, you're undercooking it … Take it up to a 70,000 population figure, something more attuned to the level of investment that's gone into crafting that infrastructure.'
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Australian Turf Club members reject historic $5bn redevelopment plan for Rosehill Racecourse
Australian Turf Club members have resoundingly rejected a $5 billion proposal to sell Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse, with the state government hoping to use the site for a new 'mini city'. ATC club chairman Peter McGauran made the announcement on Thursday afternoon, noting he had supported the sale and was personally 'disappointed by the result'. Debate ahead of the vote lasted more than an hour, with 56 per cent ultimately voting against the sale and 44 per cent in favour. The vote marks the end of a 17-month saga for the club and the state government, who have proposed redeveloping the land for a 'once in a generation' housing project. The government had planned on erecting 25,000 new homes, as well as a Metro West station, on the western Sydney site, if the sale is approved and then on-sold. The ATC has vowed to use the sale money on $1.9bn in upgrades to other Sydney race tracks, including upgrades to entertainment and other amenities. Mr McGauran said the ATC would now face an uphill battle, with the lack of funding doing nothing to help address a decline in attendance and run down venues. 'It's more of a challenge because we don't have the funding that could have been available to us through the sale,' he said. 'Nonetheless, we are a viable and strong club and the future is in our hands and we're united behind shared and common goals.' Mr McGauran admitted he was 'disappointed' by the vote, but said he understood why people had opposed it. He said much of the vote was influenced by the well-intended 'racing establishment' who had 'made their fortunes from racing'. Taking a sombre but matter-of-fact tone, Mr McGauran warned of an uncertain future, with declining interest in the sport. 'What what we have to do is go back to core business and seek to reduce our operating costs,' he said. 'Where we can discuss with Racing NSW and the state government, how we can better align with their objectives and strategies. 'The funding would have transformed the entire Sydney racing scene for the next hundred years.' He went on to add: 'I believe that racing (in Australia) is quickly becoming a niche sport, and this lost opportunity will further accelerate that decline.' Noting the land value of the racecourse as $27.5m, Mr McGauran lamented the missed opportunity to sell it at '128 times' the value. Mr McGauran was, though, unreserved in his criticism of independent MP Mark Latham, an outspoken critic of the proposal. 'Mark Latham is a blight on the political landscape, let alone on the racing landscape,' he said. Some 11,000 members voted on the proposal on Tuesday afternoon. Mr McGauran, in a letter to members earlier this year, described the vote as 'without any doubt the most important and consequential in the history of our club'. 'This proposal offers a one-off opportunity to make the ATC the most financially secure racing club in the world,' he said in March. 'Many members love Rosehill Gardens and are reluctant to see it go, but the truth is it's an outdated venue with declining crowds. 'This proposal can rejuvenate and secure the racing industry for many generations to come.'' The vote was initially due to be held on April 3, but was postponed following concerns about 'fairness and transparency'. Information has since been provided to members detailing the perspectives of both the 'Yes' and 'No' camps. Under the proposal, state government payments to the ATC are timed to fund 'several major investments' over 15 years. The funds will, among other measures, be used to redevelop Warwick Farm into a replacement Group 1 track. Premier Chris Minns told ABC Sydney radio on Tuesday he would be 'disappointed' if the ATC shot down the deal. 'I thought this would be a good step forward for Sydney,' Mr Minns told Craig Reucassel. 'This would be infill development, but effectively untouched land for over 100 years so didn't have the contamination risks in a lot of other parts around the Parramatta River.' Mr Minns ruled out compulsorily acquiring the site if the club voted against the sale. 'I think that it would be disingenuous of me,' Mr Minns said. 'We're leaving it up to the members of the ATC.' 'The question we're asking ATC members is: as we're driving a tunneler underneath the racecourse, do you want us to put a Metro station in as well? Once we're through, that's it.'
ABC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
ATC members vote no to sale of Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
Members of the Australian Turf Club (ATC) have voted not to sell Rosehill Racecourse to the NSW government. On Tuesday, about 11,000 members voted on the fate of the racecourse, bringing a 17-month-long saga to end. The no vote was carried by 56.1 per cent of the ballots. The ATC had proposed to sell Rosehill Gardens Racecourse to the state government for an asking price of $5 billion, which the Minns government planned to then on-sell to housing developers to build 25,000 homes and install a stop on the new Metro West line. If the members gave up their racetrack, the ATC had promised $1.9 million in upgrades for neighbouring Sydney tracks, including turning Warwick Farm into a replacement Group 1 track. Existing members would have also been gifted complementary membership for five years, and an annual $1,000 food and beverage tab for the same time. In April, Racing NSW used legal powers to postpone the initial vote of the racecourse's future, saying it was provided "insufficient" information — a move which was criticised by "vote no" campaigners who believed they could have turned down the proposition. In the lead up to the vote, the club's chairman Peter McGauran, said the sale was vital in safeguarding the future of racing, citing declining event attendance. Mr McGauran on Tuesday called the result "the most significant decision in the Club's history". "The Board brought forward this proposal in accordance with its fiduciary obligations, with the future of Sydney racing, our venues and Members at the centre of the plan," he said in a statement. "While the resolution will not proceed, the robust debate and considered views expressed throughout the process has put us in good stead for our next phase of strategic planning and development." Prominent racing names including Gai Waterhouse, Julia Ritchie, Jason Abrahams and John O'Shea had widely opposed the sell-off of Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, with many complaining the state government had not committed to paying the club's $5 billion demand. Almost 18 months ago, NSW Premier Chris Minns backed the deal, labelling it a "game changer" to meet the growing city's housing needs. Mr Minns previously told 702 ABC Radio Sydney he would be "disappointed" if the vote was unsuccessful but ruled out the compulsory acquisition of the club.
