The dunes behind Spookys include many deep 4WD tracks, with strong erosion present. On Thursday there was a ute which had been dumped and set alight. 

Cr Hulin said his fellow councillors had been shocked by the state of Spookys when they visited the area before December’s special meeting to allow horses to recommence training. 

“We have to start protecting it,” he said.

“There are that many weeds, boxthorn and hemlock through the area. None of that has been eradicated. The biggest threat to the three breeding pairs of hooded plover is foxes, which are in plague proportion and people with dogs. To me they are things that just haven’t been addressed adequately.

“The other concern with that area out there is the Aboriginal heritage. Who knows what damage has been done to it by the 4WD illegal activity? I cannot believe that nobody in the 10 years I’ve been a councillor has ever spoken to me, not one word of concern, about that.” 

He said it would be wonderful if the hooded plovers could be protected in the area.

“Who has been in charge of that area and what are the ramifications for them now that we have discovered how bad it is?” he asked.

“Somebody has to be held accountable for that destruction. Our environment is precious and it’s only because of the horses that this has been brought to life.

“Every councillor has seen it and been mortified by it. There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed, not just the horses that are going on areas that will be very strongly policed, monitored and controlled.

“I understand there are concerns and I’m concerned myself. If at any time the horses are abusing this situation then I’ll be the first one to move that they are removed.”

At a public protest against horses on beaches on Friday morning councillor David Owen said he had been informing the council about the state of Spookys for about four years.

“I know the surfers have informed the council too, about the absolute mess that the area is in – the  dumping of rubbish, 4WD tracks and wild dog tracks,” he said.