After months of uncertainty and debate on the issue, the government tried to find a balance between protecting the south-west’s beaches and access for all against giving commercial horse trainers a leg-up.

Trainers swear by the low-impact sand for exercising and the ocean’s recuperative powers for their horses. But an explosion in horse numbers taking to Killarney beach and dunes at Levy’s Point prompted safety, cultural heritage and environmental fears.

The government and councils are well aware the racing industry is worth $100 million a year to Warrnambool’s economy. With the city’s long-standing practice of banning horses on Lady Bay beach from December 1 until March 1 fast approaching and a push to boot horses from Killarney from the same date, the government needed a solution.

Its plan announced this week proposes a cap on the number of horses on certain beaches and restrictions on days and times. But it has seemingly pleased neither side.

Environmentalists are furious public beaches are being used for commercial purposes at all. While known hooded plover breeding allocations will be off-limits, the number of horses, they say, will have detrimental impacts on the environment.

The idea of allowing 50 horses on a beach on a morning until 10am doesn’t sit well.

Trainers say about half the number of horses using beaches now will be denied access under the caps. A yet-to-be nutted out licensing and policing system is also proposed. But without specific details of how it will work, both sides are sceptical.

Racing Minister Martin Pakula made it clear a few months ago that the community needed to come up with the solution and the government would help implement it. He obviously had a change of heart, welcoming the plan this week.

It was always going to be hard to find a solution when those involved were diametrically opposed. That’s why re-creating a natural beach in a wasteland of sand and marram grass running between Warrnambool’s Lady Bay beach and Viaduct Road had potential.

Was it even explored?

The anger among conservationists and passive users of beaches is unlikely to subside. The plan might just heighten unrest.

The government, like many punters, has failed to pick a winner it seems.