Spookys Beach access still on the radar for training horses in Warrnambool

The issue has been brought back into the spotlight with the release of the city council's Wild Coast Master Plan which makes provision for race horses using the area to train.

The plan, which has been released for public comment, also highlighted the need for CCTV cameras and fines to crack down on illegal four-wheel-driving and motorbike usage in the area while also unveiling plans for a raised platform to be built in the area and the possibility of a new track to the beach.

While the plan to train horses on Levys Beach was not dead, Warrnambool Racing Club chief executive officer Tom O'Connor said at the moment the club's focus was on safe access to Lady Bay beach and improving facilities there.

"At the moment there's not a lot of work being done in that space," he said in relation to the use of Spookys car park to train horses.

"It is still well and truly an area of interest.

"There is a higher priority from the race club and its trainers into the safe access and activity at Lady Bay."

Mr O'Connor said the pleasing thing with the Wild Coast Masterplan was that it referred to the Belfast Coastal Reserve Management Plan - both of which highlighted the environmental and cultural heritage issues.

MORE READS:

"We'll always be respectful of that. We understand if there is to be any activity, they're the key elements that need to be ticked off," he said.

"If we were ever in that space to be moving forward to getting access again we would have to make sure we ticked those relevant boxes."

Mr O'Connor said there was no timeline on getting access to Levys beach from Spookys car park.

"The Spookys scenario is still there ... there's provisions there under the planning act for that activity to occur and we've certainly still got our finger in having a look at that," he said.

On February 3 last year, the majority of former councillors backed a motion to get all stakeholders in the same room to clear up what they said was conflicting information around the issue, but Mr O'Connor said that meeting never happened.

He said the club was now having "in-depth conversations" with the council around the proposed harbour development, especially in relation to infrastructure, car parking and safe access at Lady Bay.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly podcast The Booletin and Beyond:

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.

CORONAVIRUS STORIES:

Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.