RACING Minister Martin Pakula has blasted Moyne Shire Council for banning race horses from training at Killarney beach.
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He said the council's decision last week effectively removed it from the ongoing extensive planning process surrounding horse activities on south-west beaches.
"Moyne Shire's decision to ban horses on Killarney beach all year round is disappointing - particularly since the government's proposal involved significant consultation, and respected Moyne's desire to have no training on Killarney in the summer months," he said.
Master trainer Darren Weir called for an end to controversy over Warrnambool district beach training but a solution was unlikely to be finalised until next year.
Currently licenses are an interim measure until Department of Environment Land, Water and Planning concludes a coastal management plan which is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year.
Weir said the reason he had a satellite stable in Warrnambool was because of access to the beach.
"Warrnambool is a very important part of our business," he said, adding the Warrnambool Racing Club was working hard to ensure beach access continued for trainers.
"There's a few things that need to be resolved. Surely at this time of year, especially at this time of year with the May carnival on, the community can see the benefit of racing to Warrnambool.
"The reason I'm in Warrnambool is the beach. I hope the Warrnambool council can support the racing industry and all parties can be satisfied with a positive outcome for racing.”
Mr Pakula, who will be trackside on Thursday, said the government was making significant investments at the WRC, including the building of an equine pool and a sand fibre training track.
"We've also taken the lead in proposing an interim beach access licensing system which balances the needs of the racing industry with the wishes of the community more generally, whilst a coastal management plan is developed," he said.
"Country Racing Victoria is now focusing its efforts on working with the City Of Warrnambool to develop sustainable medium-term solutions.”
It is understood the state parliament disallowance motion moved by the Greens, which delayed the issuing of licences has now expired.
DELWP is working with WRC to finalise the conditions and it is expected those licenses to be issued in the next couple of weeks, Mr Pakula said.
While the Greens motion has delayed the issuing of the licenses, the WRC and trainers have been operating as if they were in place and racing sources suggest there has been a high level of compliance.
The preparation of a cultural heritage management plan that aims to address any indigenous heritage concerns is also ongoing.
Moyne mayor Jim Doukas said the issue of race horses on Killarney beach was far from finalised.
He said last week's council decision to ban race horses year-round at Killarney beach was made after no consultation with the South West Owners, Trainers and Riders’ Association.
He said he had since contacted association spokeswoman Tammy Good.
The mayor said he wanted input from SWOTRA in relation to the number of trainers and horses who used the facility and how many of those were based in the shire.
Cr Doukas said when that information was gathered that he expected a further motion could be put to council relating to race horses using Killarney beach.
"Some people have misread what was in The Standard," he said.
"What I want is for there to be proper consultation and a clean process so that all fair-minded people can look at the final fair and equitable solution and be happy."
Cr Doukas said he couldn't back horses being on the beach last week due to a "messy" administrative process.
"With a proper plan we can go back to council with a recommendation to go forward," he said.
"There could still be horses working on Killarney beach after proper consultation. Hopefully that can all happen in weeks.
"I want a clean process that will stand up to any scrutiny. Even from those who are borderline about horses being on Killarney beach.
“There will always be those people who want no horses on the beach.”
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