The lengthy process to allow racehorses back on Levys beach at Warrnambool is continuing, but there are still some hurdles for the Warrnambool Racing Club to jump before south-west trainers can saddle up.
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Warrnambool City Council voted to provide a letter of consent to the racing club to allow training to resume, however an amended motion means the club will also have to provide data on the number of horses which have previously trained as well as ongoing monthly data from March 1 on the numbers at Lady Bay, and Levys if horses are allowed back there.
Cr Mike Neoh, who moved the amended motion, said there would be more meetings yet for councillors to vote on further approvals, which are needed under legislative requirements.
Cr Neoh explained after the meeting that with the support of the land manager of Levys, which is Warrnambool City Council, the racing club would now need to seek support from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) for horses to be allowed back on the beach.
If DELWP grant approval, the city council will vote again on final consent, and then it will also need to approve the conditions of the racing club’s permit licence.
Cr Neoh said it was important to seek the data from the club so the councillors could determine if Levys was required.
“We want the data to ascertain if there is still capacity at Lady Bay before we actually consider Levys, so that when we do the permits we will have some evidence behind us to work out if we do need Levys and if we do, the numbers (of horses allowed),” he said.
“Councillors can put in various permit conditions. It may be decided to keep capacity at Lady Bay and there’s not a need for horses at Levys, or there could only be 10 at Levys.
“By getting the data we will be well informed when DELWP make recommendations back to council, and for the next step for the permit conditions.”
Cr Neoh said they hadn't closed the door to Levys.
"There are a number of processes to take place," he said.
"This is not an easy issue."
Cr Kylie Gaston said the club would also need to provide an independent environmental management and monitoring plan.
“Baseline data is needed to be recorded now so that when a review is done in two years if necessary, there is a scientific basis to understand the effects the of horse racing," she said.
“The minister has asked for this in his letter to council.”
The amended motion passed 6-1, with Cr David Owen, who has been a staunch supporter of keeping racehorses off beaches voting against.
Cr Owen said he did not consent for horses to resume training.
"You had an opportunity to redeem yourself tonight," he told his fellow councillors.
"The community does not want racehorses trampling over the dunes. We are voting against the values of the Warrnambool 2040 plan."
Belfast Coastal Reserve Action Group spokesman Bill Yates said the council should have voted down the proposal in light of animal cruelty allegations against trainer Darren Weir.
"The issue of commercial horse training in Belfast Coastal Reserve still has many question marks hanging over it," he said.
"Opposition by traditional owners, surfers, fishers and environmentalists continues to escalate.
"Last Friday, traditional owners sent a message stick and a declaration and invitation to the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, calling on him to come and meet with them at their Protectors of Country camp in the dunes in question, on Peek Whurrong country."