Cr Doukas used his casting vote to pass a motion banning racehorses from the public beach despite opposing the ban, saying this week “proper consultation and a clean process” were needed before he would support regulated and restricted access for horses. He also indicated the matter should return to council for another vote.

But his fellow councillors have called Cr Doukas’ comments “an embarrassment” and “confusing”, saying they left the community “flabbergasted” and “bewildered” and made Moyne Shire look “stupid and very amateurish”.

Cr Mick Wolfe, who voted against the Killarney Beach ban, said there had been a huge amount of consultation with horse trainers and the community and that Cr Doukas had plenty of opportunities to alter or clarify an alternate motion put forward by Cr Daniel Meade that would have allowed for restricted access to Killarney Beach for racehorses. 

“I’m dumbfounded and disappointed,” Cr Wolfe said, adding that Cr Doukas was not representing the council properly and had made them look “stupid and very amateurish”.

“I’m fed up with him. Whichever way the decision goes, I respect the decision of council and the majority vote. I’m disappointed with (Cr Doukas’) backflip. Even though I (voted) against it and got beaten, that’s council’s resolution. To go one way and backflip the other way and then blame ‘messy administration’ is disappointing. 

“I could see on the night there were two sides to the argument. But I wouldn’t say it was messy. (Cr Doukas’) had the opportunity to remove or include further conditions.

“Both sides of (this debate) would be flabbergasted. BCRAG are going to be thinking we won that little battle but it sounds like we’re going to lose the war. I can’t blame them for being bewildered by it.”

Cr Colin Ryan, who supported the Killarney Beach ban, agreed with Cr Wolfe.

“This debacle is very disappointing,” Cr Ryan said.

“It’s not the way it’s meant to go. It’s an embarrassment. At the meeting everyone was fully informed and it was conducted in a proper manner. The motion was passed and enacted and that’s it. It was a legitimate motion passed at council.

“I don’t think it reflects well on (Cr Doukas). It was a legitimate process. (These) confusing statements by him would lead the public to be bewildered as to what’s going on.”

Cr Ryan said there had been plenty of meetings, briefings, discussions and information on the matter and it was clear what both sides wanted.

“My aim was to provide a good outcome for the racing industry and good outcome for the community,” Cr Ryan said. 

“It’s all about give and take. The give was (the racing industry gets to use) Golfies and the take was the community gets to keep Killarney Beach."

Cr Ryan also took aim at racing minister Martin Pakula, who called Moyne’s ban “disappointing”.

“I’d like to reaffirm that we’re in charge of that beach and we made the decision that was best for our community,” Cr Ryan said.

Cr Jordan Lockett, who supported the ban, said Cr Doukas’ comments went against what the council represented.

“Whatever we decide, that’s the decision and we should stick with it,” Cr Lockett said.

“It’s not good to send mixed messages to the public. It doesn’t show strong leadership. The community would feel let down, particularly the people who have written letters and campaigned and asked for what they want. We made it clear there’s a ban, and then (for Cr Doukas) to go on radio the next day and say we’re continuing talks, that’s a mixed message – that’s not clear.”

Cr Meade, who opposed the ban and put together an alternate motion that would have allowed restricted horse access, said the community “probably feel confused if councillors vote one way and speak another way”. 

“I don’t want a public spat or public division – I always admire councils that have a united front and are cohesive and work well together,” Cr Meade said.

“(But) the decision was made. I still would love to see horses on the beach, however the decision was made on the night. If councillors wanted to make changes to the motion to better suit what they’re looking for, the opportunity was there.” 

Moyne’s chief executive David Madden said there was nothing to stop the matter returning to council if the councillors decided that was what they wanted to do, but conceded it was “not good governance to reconsider a matter straight away”.

Cr Ian Smith was unable to be contacted while Cr Jill Parker has declared a conflict of interest in the Killarney Beach matter due to her role on the Western Coastal Board.