South West Owners, Trainers & Riders Association (SWOTRA) secretary Tammy Good said Cr Jim Doukas’ motion, which is expected to be voted on by Moyne councillors in October, was the first time SWOTRA had been properly consulted about regulated horse training on Killarney Beach.

“This particular motion is the first opportunity for SWOTRA and trainers to have any input on regulations,” Ms Good said.

She said SWOTRA had been in discussions about the broader issue, but were not consulted about the ban that was passed in April or the alternative proposal that councillors Mick Wolfe and Daniel Meade had hoped to raise.

“We’re only asking for very small numbers,” Ms Good said.

While Cr Doukas’ proposed permit system for Killarney has no cap on the number of horses that could train on the beach per day, Ms Good said SWOTRA was happy to negotiate a number.

She said 20 was the maximum number of horses she would expect to use the beach in a day.

Cr Doukas’ proposal doesn’t feature a limit to the number of permits that can be issued, but states there is a “preference to trainers based in Moyne Shire”.

Ms Good said she had no problem with the majority of Killarney Beach permits going to Moyne Shire-based trainers.

“With the Warrnambool Racing Club being put in charge of issuing permits at Golfies, most of the permits went to the very large trainers, and many of the (trainers based) in Moyne Shire missed out,” she said.

Ms Good said Cr Doukas’ motion would hopefully return the beach to its pre-summer of 2015/16 levels, when a huge influx of horses and “irresponsible riding” ruined it for everyone.

Cr Doukas’ proposal had “better protection for the public and the environment”, she said, as it would forbid galloping and limit all training activity to the water and the water’s edge, with training to be completed by 10am.

Ms Good said claims that the training would put the nearby caravan park at risk were “scare tactics”.

“There’s a camp ground adjacent to Lady Bay where up to 100 horses are working … on a busy day,” she said.

“We’re talking about 10 or 15 (at Killarney most days).”