Belfast Coastal Reserve Action Group spokesman Bill Yates said the fight to keep commercial trainers from using the coast west of Levys Point would continue, after Warrnambool City councillors voted last week to allow horses back on the beach. 

“It’s definitely far from over,” he said

“We have been talking with Victorian National Parks association and Environmental Justice Austyralia.

“We will talk to them again when everyone gets back in January and see where it has progressed to.

“We will explore all our options. We met with EJA and the VNPA and we know where to proceed to.”

Racehorses will be allowed back on Levys Beach while a cultural heritage management plan is completed for Spookys Beach, which is west of Levys. 

Mr Yates said there was plenty of community support from people who didn’t want commercial training in the Belfast Coastal Reserve.

“After the council meeting the other night it’s sparked a lot of community interest,” he said.

“I was disappointed and I think people were insulted by some councillor’s comments.

“They were insensitive and ill-informed about the natural beauty of this area and how the community has been involved in its upkeep.

“So many people over the years have gone to council and parks. We are not the land managers.

“You have to commend (coucnillor) David (Owen) for what he does. Standing up in front of opposition takes a lot of courage.

“Some of the other councillors reactions weren’t great.

“I think it was an eyeopener for people who had never been to council meetings before.

“This isn’t about horse racing, it never has been.

“It’s about the environment and doing the right thing for it.

“It’s what the reserve was set aside for. It comes back to basics. It’s not there to support a commercial operation.”

A vocal crowd attended the meeting last week, which was one of the biggest in recent memory. 

Mr Yates said BCRAG had been encouraged by the response from the community.

“People are feeling outraged by the outcome,” he said.