By Oliver Lees
Horse enthusiast Jenn Hornstrand is concerned that a plan to develop Riddells Creek into denser housing lots will stifle the town’s strong equine culture.
Growing up in a poor household, Ms Hornstrand said it had always been her dream to own a property where she could keep horses to ride around with her family.
Now living on five acres in Riddells Creek, Ms Hornstrand is in a position to do exactly that, but worries that the town around her won’t be horse friendly as it develops.
“We moved out of suburbia to have horses, now our grandchildren are coming up the ranks and we want to have them enjoy equine time too,” Ms Hornstrand said.
Ms Hornstrand’s concerns relate to the Riddells Creek Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), a first-of-its-kind planning document in the Macedon Ranges.
The 2013 document lists the land north of Amess Road as a ‘priority residential development precinct’ and forms part of council’s overall strategy to accommodate urban growth.
Star Weekly reported in 2019 that developer Sector Advantage would take on the project, with plans to create 1290 lots on a 131 hectare site.
Although she will still be able to keep horses on her own property, Ms Hornstrand said with many smaller properties planned for her town, the busier roads may not be appropriate for horse riding.
“Amess Road has been targeted as suburbia, and I actually don’t have a problem with suburbia, because you’ve got to house your family,” she said.
“What I’m saying is, Riddells Creek could have a symbiotic relationship with the developers if they were to also include and identify the needs of equine families with horse safe areas.”
Mr Hornstrand said it should be in the interest of council to provide such infrastructure, given the health benefits of horse riding.
A Macedon Ranges spokesperson told Star Weekly that developments will be in keeping with Riddells Creek’s township character, but will not aim to provide for keeping farm animals such as horses.
“The Amess Road Precinct Structure Plan envisions conventional residential development for Riddells Creek,” the spokesperson said.
“Agisting horses is not an envisioned outcome for conventional residential areas. The Macedon Ranges Shire has a range of land areas that can be used for the use and keeping of horses.”
