Group says “nay” to proposed beach use plan

OPPONENTS of a plan to manage the use of a reserve on Victoria’s south-west coast argue it will lead to beaches between Warrnambool and Port Fairy being overrun with commercial horse trainers.

Last week, the state government released the draft coastal management plan for the Belfast Coastal Reserve.

A “Conservation Zone” would cover the reserve’s central area and would prohibit large scale and unlicensed horse training, except at Rutledges Cutting and Killarney Beach to provide for local trainers that have historically used it.

At either end of the reserve, there would be a “Conservation and Recreation Zone”, where commercial horse training and recreational horse riding would be permitted during set times within a designated area and monitored with licence conditions.

The plan has been highly criticised by the Belfast Coastal Reserve Action Group (BCRAG), a local lobby group, which claims the high-speed track work by up to 50 horses a day will effectively bar anyone else from using the beaches.

“In releasing the draft Belfast Coastal Reserve Management Plan, the Andrews government has squandered the opportunity for sensible management of south-west Victoria’s most precious tourism, recreation and nature conservation assets – its beaches – and put them at mercy behind the screens of the horse racing industry,” BCRAG spokesperson Bill Yates said.

“The government is requesting beachgoers, dog walkers, anglers, surfers, even recreational horse riders accept being the ‘collateral damage’ for an appalling expansion of racehorse training areas and numbers – not on a race track or vacant paddock, but on all the long stretches of beach from Warrnambool to Port Fairy.”

The Victorian National Parks Association says increasing numbers of commercial horse trainers have been using the reserve since 2015.

The association’s chief executive officer Matt Ruchel said the reserve was set up in the 1980s to conserve cultural sites, coastal wildlife and support recreational activities.

“Commercial racehorse training was never in the mix, and it shouldn’t be now.”

Victorian Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the plan was about getting the balance right. “We want to ensure the Belfast Coastal Reserve is maintained for future generations – but also allow recreational use so that Victorians get the most out of this incredible reserve.”

For more information on the management plan, head to engage.vic.gov.au/Belfast.