Only five councillors will be at next Tuesday’s council meeting when Cr Doukas will put forward his proposal, which would allow an unlimited number of horses on Killarney Beach between dawn and 10am for 10-and-a-half months of the year.

Crs Colin Ryan and Mick Wolfe indicated on September 12 that they would be apologies for next week’s meeting.

Cr Jill Parker has excused herself from all votes relating to racehorse training on beaches, citing a conflict of interest due to her involvement on the Western Coastal Board.

This would leave four councillors – the minimum required to have a quorum – to vote on Cr Doukas’ motion at Tuesday’s meeting in Mortlake.

Cr Doukas would only need one supporter to get the motion passed, as a two-two split vote would allow him to use his mayoral casting vote to break the deadlock.

The Standard understands the mayor submitted his notice of motion on September 18.

Cr Doukas used his casting vote in April to keep Killarney Beach horse-free, siding with Crs Ryan and Jordan Lockett. 

At that time, Cr Doukas indicated he supported racehorses using the beach, but wouldn’t support a foreshadowed proposal backed by councillors Daniel Meade, Ian Smith and Mick Wolfe because he felt there hadn’t been “proper consultation”.

Just days after that vote, Cr Doukas angered his fellowed councillors by saying the matter of racehorse training on Killarney Beach was far from finalised as the council had made its decision without consulting South West Owners, Trainers and Riders’ Association (SWOTRA).

Cr Doukas’ new motion would only allow SWOTRA members to obtain permits to use Killarney Beach.

Supporting notes with his motion stated there were concerns licence arrangements on other beaches were not giving “smaller-scale local racehorse trainers … adequate time or space” on beaches.