No to foreshore horse training area
Recent snippets of information suggest the council is involved in backroom discussions with the racing industry regarding the development of a training track in the vacant reclaimed coastal land between the Pavilion and the skate park.
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The area under discussion represents a very valuable community owned coastal asset, and as per section 1.1 of the WCC Draft Plan 2017-21 must be preserved to protect and maintain our biggest physical asset, our coastal environment.
To hand this valuable community asset over to a narrow interest group such as the racing industry would be an irresponsible act by the WCC. It would again be contrary to section 5.6 of the WCC Draft Plan which espouses good governance through openness, consultation and communication. It would also negate the opportunity to enhance the area in a way that benefits our community and potential tourist growth.
I believe everyone acknowledges the importance of the racing industry to Warrnambool’s tourist industry, but I cannot see how this proposal makes a significant contribution to increasing tourist participation in the industry. It would, however, compromise the experience of the majority of Warrnambool’s tourists who come to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Whether this land remains as it currently is, or it is developed into a more accessible and environmentally managed coastal park, or it is partially developed to contain tourist related buildings, should be the subject of widespread community consultation and careful planning. In the meantime this land must be left as it is.
Allan Wood, South Warrnambool
Volunteers’ efforts are valued – CFA
I write in response to a letter entitled Value CFA volunteers, The Standard, June 2. CFA, and the community as a whole, recognises the outstanding contribution CFA volunteers make in keeping Victorians safe. Indeed, CFA volunteers are more than just a firefighting body, they are integral to many communities throughout Victoria. It is important we recognise this. It is also vitally important that information on CFA’s firefighting capabilities are rooted in the facts, so as not to undermine community confidence in the service CFA provides. To that end, CFA has a dedicated team of mechanical staff who work tirelessly to maintain our fleet in operational readiness. Our fleet is progressively updated to meet the changes we face, and whilst this takes time given the size of our fleet, we welcome enhancements as they occur. It’s essential that the community knows that we are ready to respond to their needs. The recent changes announced by the State Government will also see $44 million invested into CFA to improve our infrastructure and equipment.
Rohan Luke, Assistant Chief Officer, South West Region
Kind act deserves recognition
Amongst all the bad news at present I thought it would be nice to mention a great act of kindness that I recently witnessed at my workplace, Lyndoch Living. On my way back from lunch walking up a linkway I came across one of our chefs, who was holding a wheelchair, and one of our domestic staff, who was assisting one of our elderly residents in the sitting area down the walkway. She had clearly run out of puff and both men had stopped what they were doing to render assistance, one to get a wheelchair while the other waited patiently with her before assisting her back to the Homestead. No nursing staff were involved and I thought it genuinely impressive that these two men didn’t think twice about helping someone in need even though they could easily have called on a nurse to assist. What wonderful genuine caring staff we have at Lyndoch and what a great community we have in Warrnambool.
Kim Brody, Dennington