At an emotional special meeting on Monday evening which drew a large crowd of Belfast Coastal Reserve Action Group members, Cr David Owen made a passionate speech imploring his fellow councillors to vote against allowing horses back on the beach.

Crs Mike Neoh and Peter Hulin supported him, however Crs Robert Anderson, Tony Herbert, Kylie Gaston and Sue Cassidy voted in support of horses returning to Levy’s.

Questions around the legality of allowing the horses resume training was raised, with chief executive officer Bruce Anson saying legal advice was ongoing and had been “non-conclusive” so far.

BCRAG lashed out at the council, saying it had bowed to pressure from the state government and racing industry to allow horse training on Levy’s beach.

Spokesman Bill Yates was disappointed after the meeting. 

“If there is a legal question hanging over it, they shouldn’t be voting on it,” he said.

“At least three councillors had common sense. It’s a farce.”

He said taking the decision to the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal was an option.

Cr Owen made a long speech about preserving the city’s beaches, which was applauded by members of the gallery.

“Protection of our natural assets must be our top priority,” he said.

“We must not permit our environment to be degraded or destroyed due to pressure from an extremely wealthy industry. The racing industry can well afford to build their own training facilities on their own land.” 

Cr Cassidy said the racing industry brought many people to the city.

“I might not fully like the proposal, but I can live with it,” she said.

Cr Kylie Gaston said the decision for her was not black and white.

“I am prepared to see how it pans out in terms of the vigorous conditions that have been placed on the race club,” she said.

Cr Neoh asked why the decision could not be deferred until solid legal advice had been sought.

“I don’t think we should be rushing,” he said.

BCRAG said the decision had resulted from pressure from “the big end of town” to force the council’s hand.

Councillors also voted 6-1, with Cr Owen voting against, for a five-plus-five year agreement for horse training at Lady Bay. 

The Warrnambool Racing Club will provide up to $400,000 for a new horse float/truck park at the bay precinct. 

The meeting finished with cries of “shame, shame” from the public gallery.