Warrnambool Racing Club chief executive Peter Downs, who spoke at this week’s Moyne Shire meeting, said he thought a proposed alternative allowing up to 16 horses to use the beach between 7am and 10am from April until November would have been a better option.

“I think the trainers who live and pay their rates in Moyne Shire will be pretty disappointed,” he said.

Mr Downs said uncertainty around the issue had already led to “a number of industry participants” to give up training horses, but he hoped more wouldn’t quit because of Moyne Shire’s decision.

“Having this definitive position from Moyne Shire will lessen the confidence some trainers have,” he said.

Trainer Darren Weir’s foreman Jarrod McLean said he was also disappointed by the ban. While Weir didn’t want to comment on the issue, McLean said the decision would mean a larger volume of horses on the region’s other beaches.

South West Owners, Trainers & Riders Association (SWOTRA) spokeswoman Tammy Good said she had hoped Killarney Beach could have been reserved for some small-scale local trainers.

“We felt there could have been a small number (of trainers allowed) perhaps as some reward for the ones who have been doing the right thing there all along,” Ms Good said.

State Greens senator Janet Rice, who took part in a protest to protect Killarney Beach, said she was delighted with the decision to keep the beach racehorse-free.

”A community beach is no place for a racehorse at full gallop,” Ms Rice said.