Warrnambool Racing Club chief executive Peter Downs told The Standard on February 3 consultants had created a cultural management plan. He hoped a five-month ban on horse training would be lifted in the dune area at Levys. 

A spokesperson for Aboriginal Victoria said it had not yet received the report.

“Racing Victoria has commissioned a voluntary cultural heritage management plan for the activity of horse training at Levys Point Beach near Warrnambool,”  the spokesperson said.

“Once completed, the cultural heritage management plan may be submitted to the secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet for evaluation and approval. The cultural heritage management plan is not yet finalised and has not been submitted to the secretary for approval.”

Mr Downs declined to comment.

Meanwhile, Mr Downs has accepted Warrnambool City Council's recent decision to allow 96 horses on Lady Bay daily and, 20 in the water for swimming, from March 1.

“It is great to receive support from the council in relation to horses on beaches,” he said. “Local council understands the importance of the thoroughbred industry and are happy to work with the club and the trainers’ group to ensure it is done in the best way possible for all beach users.”

He said the racing club was looking at options to manage activities on the beach.

“We are supplying some information to council on how we believe this may work, however, there is a still a bit of work to be done between all three groups between now and March 1,” Mr Downs said.

“WRC don’t have any intentions to tell trainers which individual horses can and can’t be trained on particular days. There are self regulating capping systems in place which have been in place for the past six months. 

“All trainers wanting to use the beach at Lady Bay have been required to hold a current permit with the WCC.”