OPPONENTS of a plan to manage the use of a reserve on Victoria\u2019s south-west coast argue it will lead to beaches between Warrnambool and Port Fairy being overrun with commercial horse trainers.<\/p>\n
Last week, the state government released the draft coastal management plan for the Belfast Coastal Reserve.<\/p>\n
A \u201cConservation Zone\u201d would cover the reserve\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
At either end of the reserve, there would be a \u201cConservation and Recreation Zone\u201d, where commercial horse training and recreational horse riding would be permitted during set times within a designated area and monitored with licence conditions.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn releasing the draft Belfast Coastal Reserve Management Plan, the Andrews government has squandered the opportunity for sensible management of south-west Victoria\u2019s most precious tourism, recreation and nature conservation assets \u2013 its beaches \u2013 and put them at mercy behind the screens of the horse racing industry,\u201d BCRAG spokesperson Bill Yates said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government is requesting beachgoers, dog walkers, anglers, surfers, even recreational horse riders accept being the \u2018collateral damage\u2019 for an appalling expansion of racehorse training areas and numbers \u2013 not on a race track or vacant paddock, but on all the long stretches of beach from Warrnambool to Port Fairy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Victorian National Parks Association says increasing numbers of commercial horse trainers have been using the reserve since 2015.<\/p>\n
The association\u2019s chief executive officer Matt Ruchel said the reserve was set up in the 1980s to conserve cultural sites, coastal wildlife and support recreational activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommercial racehorse training was never in the mix, and it shouldn\u2019t be now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Victorian Minister Lily D\u2019Ambrosio said the plan was about getting the balance right. \u201cWe want to ensure the Belfast Coastal Reserve is maintained for future generations \u2013 but also allow recreational use so that Victorians get the most out of this incredible reserve.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information on the management plan, head to engage.vic.gov.au\/Belfast.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
OPPONENTS of a plan to manage the use of a reserve on Victoria\u2019s 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 \u201cConservation Zone\u201d would cover the reserve\u2019s […]<\/p>\n