Residents’ anger over plan to ban dogs, horses from Killarney beaches

The draft management plan for the Belfast Coastal Reserve would turn Killarney’s Armstrong Bay area into a “conservation zone”, banning dogs and recreational horse riding for kilometres of beach between the Killarney boat ramp and Big Baldy on Warrnambool’s outskirts. It would also close beach access at Towilla Way and Gormans Lane.

A “no access” sign has already appeared without warning at the entrance to Towilla Way beach, despite public consultation on the draft plan not closing until March 16.

“Horses (unlicenced) and dogs will be prohibited in the Conservation Zone and restricted in other areas,” the draft plan states.

The plan was released in January and public feedback is open until March 16, however, some residents now feel that, with a sign already in place, the changes are a done deal.

Killarney resident Viva-Lyn Lenehan said many felt they were being locked out of their local beaches.

“This has been thrust upon us and we are all shocked, we’re absolutely shocked,” she said.

“If they are going to do that as an indication of how they manage this thing it really is concerning.”

Ms Lenehan said she, like many residents, had been following the management plan’s implications for commercial racehorse training and had not realised the large-scale changes for residents that were planned for Armstrong Bay.

“The actual plan itself I believe is a generic plan, started from Melbourne, and it’s just not relevant to us. The beach is a community beach that caters for all of the south-west,” she said.

“Is it their intention to turn it into a bird sanctuary?”

Towilla Way resident Bruce Gooley questioned the legality of erecting the “no access” sign.

“I wonder what the authority for putting up that sign is. It hasn’t been approved by council, it’s only a Parks proposal and under what authority?” he said.

Debbie Gooley said closing off access points could encourage people to do the wrong thing.

“You’re going to get people coming over the dunes to get to the beach, people will try to get to the beach, so isn’t it better to have a designated pathway rather than more destruction being done to the dunes, which is what we’re all trying to prevent,” she said.

Fellow local resident John Nunn said the beach was not frequently used and those who did use it stayed well away from hooded plover nesting areas.

Mr Nunn said it was one thing to create a designated conservation area, but it wouldn’t guarantee plovers would choose that site to nest.

“They consult with some interest groups and the residents have been left out,” he said of the draft plan.

Suzi Mann and Will Birch moved to Killarney for its lifestyle and easy beach access.

“We’re very aware of the environment and keeping it the way we find it,” Ms Mann said.

“There’s been no consultation with us as the inhabitants of this land (before the sign went up). I think it’s very arrogant.”

Mrs Lenehan said the Towilla Way estate was also subject to a “section 173 agreement” that required a car park and beach access to be maintained.

A Moyne Shire spokesperson said the council was looking into the matter. Councillors will have a presentation from the consultants who drew up the plan later this month. Moyne has received an extension until the end of March to make its submission so it can go before the March council meeting.

Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio’s office has yet to reply to The Standard’s request for comment.

Visit engage.vic.gov.au/belfast to view the plans and make a submission.