A bid to keep an international equine centre on the table at Macedon Ranges council has failed, with riding enthusiasts now mooting a fight in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Cr Roger Jukes tried to overturn a decision made at the council’s February meeting, which shelved the state-of-the-art facility along with council’s former equine strategy, which expired before elections last year.
Nearly 100 supporters, including Olympic equestrian Mary Hanna, turned out at a special meeting last Wednesday carrying placards, wearing helmets and pulling a convoy of horse floats.
But councillors voted to uphold their original decision. The vote drew resounding boos from the gallery.
“There was a lack of transparency and consultation, which are two big issues that can’t be overlooked and are very much a part of this council’s agenda,” Cr Jukes said.
“This is the final process in a five year strategy [that has] involved community and the industry … that is the second largest economic driver in this shire.
“In my time on council, I’ve never seen a recommendation to remove a strategy that’s been worked on for five years.
“To lose the strategy from our planning means that equine is considered as a general planning application and has no significance [within the planning scheme], which I find quite unbelievable for a big industry and generator of more than a $140 million.”
South ward councillor Andrew Twaits said the community had been “wound up” by the decision, and said the leisure aspects of the equine industry would be best dealt with under council’s leisure strategy.
Three residents who were in favor of the international equine centre told Star Weekly after the meeting that they felt ignored and would consider taking the matter to VCAT.
