Legality of horses on beaches questioned

A COMMUNITY group against commercial horse training on Warrnambool’s beaches argues the activity might not be lawfully permitted, but the Warrnambool City Council says the situation is a very “complex planning and land management issue”.

At a council meeting in early October, the council resolved that it would approve horse training on Levy’s Point beach, subject to a number of conditions.

The Belfast Coastal Reserve Action Group (BCRAG) believes commercial horse training is a major threat to the environment and public safety, and “is most likely not a lawfully permitted activity in that area”.

The group also believes that Warrnambool City has seriously failed to consider its obligations under the Belfast Coastal Reserve Management Plan and the Crown Lands Act.

A special council meeting was held on Monday night to discuss the issue.

“It would appear Warrnambool City Council is willing to sell our beaches and dunes to the racing industry for a fistful of dollars,” BCRAG spokesperson Bill Yates said.

“Our public beaches are being sold off. Who is actually running this council?”

In response, Warrnambool City chief executive officer Bruce Anson said the council was trying to clarify the management arrangements, and had received legal advice stating the Warrnambool Planning Scheme “continues to apply to the reserve notwithstanding the ministerial consents/permissions granted; and horse training or animal training is a prohibited use on the land to which the PCRZ land applies”.

“This is a very complex planning and land management issue.

“The purpose of the meeting on Monday night was for council as the committee of management seeking to introduce certainty to access and use of Levy’s Point beach, subject to this decision meeting all relevant governance arrangements.”