WARRNAMBOOL Racing Club will meet with government departments over the next fortnight to finalise protocols for trainers exercising horses on beaches in the Belfast Coastal Reserve.
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A management plan for the reserve released last month allows commercial trainers to use specific beach areas under a licence system.
But WRC chief executive officer Peter Downs said discussions were ongoing about the licences.
“We’re having meetings with Government departments about putting procedures in place regarding our license and responsibilities,” Downs said. “There’s been a lot of work done behind the scenes to have it all worked out. We haven’t sorted out fees for trainers at this stage but we’re confident of having everything sorted out within two weeks.”
Community information sessions about the state government’s 15-year management plan will be held in Port Fairy and Warrnambool next week.
DELWP Barwon South West Community and Partnerships Programs Regional Manager, Jason Borg said: “These drop-in sessions provide the opportunity to query aspects of the management plan and have questions answered.
“Staff from both DELWP and Parks Victoria will be on-hand to explain the plan, and in particular, go into detail about where activities will be allowed and where others will be prohibited.”
The sessions will be held at Port Fairy Community Services Centre on August 21 and Warrnambool’s Lighthouse Theatre on August 22. Both sessions are from 6pm to 7.30pm.