Racehorses unlikely to be back on Levys beach at Warrnambool anytime soon

Cr Mike Neoh said returning horses to Levys or Spooky's beach, west of Thunder Point, had "stalled somewhat" and it was up to Warrnambool Racing Club to instigate and drive actions, not it.

"Council are wanting to take baby steps in terms of liaising with the local Indigenous community," he said.

"The point that we are now looking at is making sure that we cross our Ts and dot our Is in terms of the traditional owners.

"Horses are not back on Levys at the moment as a licence hasn't been finalised by the Warrnambool Racing Club. If the horses were back at Levys there is a sunset clause in November that they would no longer be allowed to use the Levys carpark.

"Therefore if they were back, from November they would have to use a car park constructed at Spooky's by the racing club, which has not been done yet.

"The (state government planning) minister said they had to construct a car park at Spooky's and the second point is that between now and November it was delegated to me to liaise with community stakeholders to ascertain their concerns and issues about horses returning to Levys post the sunset clause."

Cr Neoh said a cultural heritage management plan was required for works and it would also look at how the return of horses would be managed, if that happened.

Cr Neoh said he would engage with other beach users to convey their thoughts on the proposal prior to any licence renewal.

"We want to make sure we engage with the Indigenous community because in the past it has been unclear in different factions of the community of their position, but I think it is becoming a lot more of a consensus from the responsible organisations," he said.

Racing club chief executive officer Peter Downs, who will take up a new role at Moonee Valley Racing Club in coming weeks, said the licence to return horses to Levys was before Parks Victoria.

"They have sent us a draft licence which we are happy with," he said. "We are working with them on final details."

Horses are allowed to train along Warrnambool's main beach from Lady Bay up to McGennans car park for eight months of the year.

They are allowed to swim in the water in front of the Pavilion Cafe and Bar year round.

Cr Neoh said the council was still negotiating with the racing club about the funding to construct a new horse and float car park at the breakwater.

"Part of the agreement to renew access to Lady Bay was a contribution from the racing club to develop a car park," he said.

"We need that agreement and funding to look at planning it and what is required for that.

"It is slated to be a $400,000 contribution and we are waiting for feedback from the racing club on that agreement.

"They will provide us the money to improve the amenity and safety of the area. There has been issues in the yacht club car park with managing waste and smell.

"The strategy is to free up that area to make it more safe for other users and provide an additional car park where it's out of the road. That's council's position at this point."

On Wednesday the racing club revealed the May Racing Carnival generated $13.9 million in spending, including $11.3 million in the city.

Mr Downs said the results of the economic impact report were once again outstanding and showed a significant impact for not only 2019, but a strong trend over the past three years.

The carnival had a total attendance of 28,543 in 2019, and of that, more than 76 per cent were from outside the region.