Bellarine Peninsula Horse Trails Study to be Noted by Geelong City Council Tuesday Night

The City of Greater Geelong will Note the Bellarine Peninsula Horse Trails Study tomorrow night - Tuesday 23 November 2010 at their council meeting. Below is the agenda item on the subject which I have extracted as they have it buried in the pdf of their agenda which they have published on their website.

Notes usually means - yes that is a really nice study and we think its great but we are not going to do anything about it - I would like to be wrong - please tell me I am wrong!

The agenda item is available on the City of Greater Geelong website in pdf format.

BELLARINE PENINSULA HORSE TRAILS STUDY

Portfolio: Cr John Mitchell

Source: Projects, Recreation & Central Geelong

General Manager: Dean Frost

Index Reference: Bellarine Peninsula Horse Trails Study

Summary

• The purpose of this report is for Council to note the Bellarine Horse Trail Study.
• The aim of the Bellarine Horse Trail Study was to investigate a number of critical issues in relation to the need, construction and management of horse trails across the Bellarine Peninsula.
• The research and stakeholder consultation undertaken confirmed a number of consistent issues. These include:
  
  • That there is a lack of north/south linear open space corridors on the Bellarine Peninsula. The absence of safe north/south corridors makes horse trail network across the Bellarine Peninsula difficult;
  • That to establish horse riding trails on the Bellarine Peninsula requires a combination of public land and public roads will be required and permission from public land managers would be required before permitting horse riding on any proposed routes;
  • To manage environmental degradation and risk to other trail users, limitations on shared trail use would be required.
• The Public Exhibition Period was held from 4 June 2010 to 2 July 2010. A summary of submissions indicated:
  
  • A number of Public Land managers expressed significant opposition to the promotion and use of public roads, beaches and the Bellarine Rail Trail (from Drysdale to Queenscliff) as Horse Routes:
  • Horse riders supported the proposed network of routes, and
  • Horse and Pony Clubs members note a need for club facility upgrades.
• Recommendations in the plan include short term options including designating nominated roads as "Horse Friendly Routes" and developing a "Code of Conduct" for horse riders using the roads. Longer term recommendations regarding negotiation with land managers to improve access to potential off road horse trials and assisting the horse riding community develop horse riding infrastructure at Horse and Pony Clubs.

Recommendation

That Council notes the Bellarine Horse Trails Study.

Report

Background

The Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) collect information on the frequency, duration, nature and type of physical activity that are participated in for exercise. In relation to "horse riding and other equestrian activities', the 2007 Annual Report found that:

• horse riders participated on average, once per week;
• the activity is more popular among females than males
• the majority on a non-organised basis; and
• Victoria has a lower participation that the national participation rate, 0.7% compared with 1% respectively.

Using the ERASS and ABS data for population, pet, age and gender, the total number of horse's riders on the Bellarine Peninsula is in the order of 331, including approximately 86 children and young people aged between 5-19 years.

The ABS data indicates that 1% of households had a pet horse and therefore considering the household data for the Bellarine Peninsula, it is likely that there is in the order of 126 households with a horse.

Based on the data presented above the number of recreational horse riders based on the Bellarine Peninsula is likely to be at least 330, and no more than 1000. Whilst it is difficult to put an accurate figure on the number of recreational horse riders, it is probably closer to 330.

The Bellarine Peninsula Recreation and Leisure Needs Study 2006 identified a lack of equestrian facilities, particularly cross country courses, as a key issue to be addressed. The Leisure Needs study was silent on the need for a network of trails on the Peninsula to support trail riding activities.

In 2007 a group of local trail riders and other people involved in the equine industry on the Bellarine Peninsula presented Council with a community submission advocating for the development of a network of recreational tracks and trails on the Bellarine Peninsula (the submission was entitled 'Bellarine Rural Tracks & Trails Strategy 2007-2012').

The aim of the project is to validate the directions proposed in the community submission and investigate the need for and feasibility of developing a network of horse trails on the Bellarine Peninsula.

The strategy was required to consider such issues as:

• the capacity of the proposed trails to be shared use;
• the social, health and economic benefit of the proposed trail network;
• the impact on the natural environment (with particular reference to remnant vegetation),
• the quantum of proposed users;
• the level of access to non-Council owned land and any conditions associated with approved access;
• the optimum location of the trails;
• the future management of the trail network; and
• the capital cost and recurrent maintenance cost of the trail network.

Discussion

The City of Greater Geelong appointed consultants to investigate the need for, and feasibility of, developing a network of horse trails on the Bellarine Peninsula. Two key outcomes of the project were to assess demand for trails and the capacity of some or all of the proposed trails to be shared by horse riders, cyclists and/or walkers, and to recommend a management framework to ensure that any proposed Trail is sustainable, affordable and of benefit.

Based on the data presented in the Bellarine Peninsula Horse Trails Background Report (Appendix 7-1) the number of recreational horse riders based on the Bellarine Peninsula is likely to be at least 330, and no more than 1,000. Whilst it is difficult to put an accurate figure on the number of recreational horse riders, it is probably closer to 330, than 1,000.

These horse riders represent both existing and potential demand for horse trails on the Bellarine Peninsula. Not all recreational horse riders will use trails if they were provided. Since the number of accessible and safe horse trails (or routes) is very small, existing demand for horse trails is correspondingly small. Although the demand for horse trails is small there are a number of horse riding opportunities that exist on the Bellarine Peninsula that will service the existing and likely future local needs.

Existing horse riding opportunities on the Bellarine Peninsula include: Road Network: Under the road rules, horses are regarded as a vehicle and riders are subject to the same road rules as apply to other drivers. There are some specific additional rules regarding helmets, riding two abreast and other rider safety stipulations.

Beaches: Horse riding is not permitted on the beaches between Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale; however, it is permitted at Point Richards, St Leonard's and Indented Heads, and also 13th Beach. The main reasons for excluding horse riding on beaches and foreshore areas relate to risk management (relating to conflict with other beach goers) and environmental (relating to erosion, compaction and weed control). Even with these limitations longer term opportunities exists to establish policies which eliminate risks and environmental damage whilst at the same time permitting horse riding on beaches. Strict conditions will be required and policing of access will be necessary. It will require negotiated outcomes between the various committees of management (land managers). At a minimum horse riding should not be permitted during peak holiday periods, on or near dunes or during nesting seasons. It should be noted at the time of the study the Barwon Coast and Bellarine Bayside were not receptive to this possibility.

Bellarine Rail Trail: Horse riding is permitted on between Geelong and the Drysdale Railway Station, but not permitted on the Drysdale to Queenscliff section of the Rail Trail. The two issues that restrict horse riding access to this section of the Rail Trail include conflict with other trail users and the existing tourist train service and damage to native vegetation.

It is possible to overcome the problems of risk management and environmental degradation by appropriate management of horse riding. For example by not permitting horse riding when the railway is scheduled to operate, and requiring horse riders to remain on designated tracks, and to avoid clearly marked native vegetation, including grasses. This would require the agreement of the Geelong Steam Preservation Society. At the time of the study the Geelong Steam Preservation Society were not receptive to this possibility.

Potential Horse Routes Identified

Very few opportunities exist to create a safe circular horse route on the Bellarine Peninsula.

The best option revolves around the Bellarine Rail Trail: Lake Lorne – Gilles Road – Basin Road - Princess Road – Swan Bay Road – Banks Road – Andersons Road – Lake Lorne

Given the width of the road reserves, the amount of native vegetation, including native grasses, most horse riding will be done on the road, rather than the road verges. The route can be extended by including the Bellarine Rail Trail, subject to negotiating a suitable outcome with the Steam Preservation Society, and by opening Sheppard's Road between the Rail Trail and Banks Road.

Additional out and back routes can include:

• Sheppard's Road from Banks Road to Portarlington – Queenscliff Road
• Andersons Road from Banks Road to Manifold Road – Grassy Point Road – Batman Road or Coatsworth/Scotchmans Road
• Knights RoadHorse riding is permitted on all these roads, although if a route is to be promoted as being safe, advisory signs will be required, particularly where horse riders are required to cross a major road. As the roads are maintained for vehicular use, in some sections the size of the gravel stones used on the road surface may be uncomfortable for horses and hence unsuitable for horse riding.

Please see the Bellarine Peninsula Horse trails Study Appendix A, for the proposed network of friendly horse routes on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Plan Recommendations

Improving the quality of horse riding facilities will involve three distinct approaches:

1. Relatively low cost actions which can be taken in the short term.

a. In association with the horse riding community prepare a Code of Conduct for horse riders using horse friendly roads (and also for use on the Geelong to Drysdale section of the Bellarine Rail Trail).

b. Designate the following roads as horse friendly: Drysdale – Leopold Pony Club - Gilles Road - Basin Road - Princess Street - Swan Bay Road - Banks Road - Andersons Road – Drysdale – Leopold Pony Club.

c. Adequately signpost areas of remnant native vegetation along Gilles Road, Basin Road, Princess Street, Swan Bay Road, Banks Road and Andersons Road, particularly native grasses.

d. Install advisory signs along Gilles Road, Basin Road, Princess Street, Swan Bay Road, Banks Road and Andersons Road at appropriate intervals to warn motorists of horse riders and to drive slowly (eg 40 kph).

e. Promote the horse friendly route and code of conduct through Council's normal media outlets (eg web site) and via the horse riding community.

f. Monitor use of the route by horse riders, the incidence of accidents or near accidents involving horses and damage to native vegetation.

g. Subject to satisfactory introduction of the horse friendly route (i.e. significant number of horse riders using the route, no negative feedback regarding the condition of the road surface or the speed of vehicles, no increase in accidents involving horses and no horse related damage to native vegetation), consider extending the horse friendly route with out and back links from Banks Road along Sheppards Road, and from Andersons Road to Burrows Road - Manifold Road – Grassy Point Road – Batmans Road.

h. Adequately signpost areas of remnant native vegetation, particularly native grasses, along all designated horse friendly roads.

i. Install advisory signs along Sheppards Road, Burrows Road, Manifold Road, Grassy Point Road and Batmans Road at appropriate intervals to warn motorists of horse riders. Advisory signs will also be required at the intersection of Andersons Road and Portarlington – Queenscliff Road and Batmans Road and Portarlington – Queenscliff Road to warn motorists of horse riders and horse riders of a major road. The intersection of Drysdale-St Leonards Road/Grassy Road/Bluff Road will require advisory signs for horse riders warning of the dangers of the intersection.

2. Negotiations with public land managers to improve access to off road horse trails.

a. In the longer term consultation be undertaken with the various land management agencies (Bayside Bellarine Committee of Management, Barwon Coast Committee of Management and Geelong Steam Preservation Society), regarding the feasibility of permitting horse riding in designated areas under their control, subject to specific conditions.

b. Consult with the Borough of Queenscliff relating to beach access at Point Lonsdale.

c. Internally within Council, discuss horse access to beaches along Buckley Park.

d. Should approval from the respective land managers be forthcoming, horse riding only be permitted subject to the following conditions such as:

· At times when trains are not running on the Bellarine railway.

· At times of low use on beaches (eg winter and early morning in summer).

· At times which are not environmentally important to native flora and fauna (eg when the hooded plover is not nesting).

· At locations which are not potentially environmentally destructive (eg not within 20 metres of dunes, or 10 metres of remnant vegetation).

· At locations which are not high risk areas (eg near caravan or camping grounds, designated picnic areas and play areas).

e. A Code of Conduct for horse riders being developed which outlines their rights and responsibilities.

f. Subject to horse riding being permitted on the Rail Trail, Council monitor use of the Rail Trail by horse riders, walkers and cyclists to determine whether significant demand exists to justify opening Sheppards Road between the Rail Trail and Banks Road.

3. Ongoing consultation with the horse community to plan and develop horse riding infrastructure in the medium to long term.

a. Council encourage the formation of a "Horse Riders of the Bellarine Peninsula" group comprising representation of all recreational horse riding. Its primary function being to coordinate the planning of horse related facilities and infrastructure and provide advice to Council on horse related matters.

Environmental Implications

Horses are highly likely to have significant impact on any areas sensitive flora and fauna. Council will need to comply with all relevant state and federal legislation. Existing and proposed Horse Trail Routes may need to be referred the Commonwealth Environment, Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Victoria's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, Native Vegetation Management - A Framework For Action (2002), Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007, Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978.

Financial Implications

The report provides a number of recommendations.

Where implementation of specific recommendations requires a new capital allocation from Council, these will be presented and considered as part of the overall annual budget process (where applicable). Opportunities for funding from the State Government, clubs and the community will be investigated once the plan has been accepted by Council.

Policy/Legal/Statutory Implications

Existing and proposed Horse Trail Routes may be referred the Commonwealth Environment, Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Victoria's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, Native Vegetation Management - A Framework For Action (2002), Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007, Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978.

A planning permit would be required to clear or disturb any native vegetation from the any proposed Horse Trail Route.

Officer Direct or Indirect Interest

No Council officers involved in the preparation of this report are known to have a direct or indirect interest in matters to which this report relates.

Risk Assessment

There are no immediate risks associated with this report. Appropriate risk management measures will be put in place when implementing the recommendations of the report.

Social Considerations

Horse riding is a legitimate recreational activity. It is important that horse trails be established to cater for community interests in this activity. It is possible that without such designated trails Council and other land managers will be faced with an increase in unauthorised and illegal riding in parks, beaches and reserves.

Communication

The following consultations were undertaken as part of the methodology used in preparing the Bellarine Horse Trails Study: The Bellarine Horse Trails Study has been overseen by a two tiered management structure. Including -

A Project Working Group comprising representatives from the following organisations:

• Recreation & Open Space COGG
• Environment & Natural Resources, COGG
• Parks & Support Services, COGG
• Landcare
• SGL
• DSE
• Engineering Services, COGG
• Bellarine Rail Trail COM, COGG
• Drysdale Leopold Pony Club
• Parks Vic
• Vic Roads
• A Project Control Group comprising of the following:
  
  • Ward Councillor COGG
  • Recreation & Open Space Planner, COGG
  • Recreation & Open Space Coordinator, COGG
  • Environment & Natural Resources Environment Officer, COGG

In addition to the governance structure, personal or telephone interviews with Council staff nominated by the Project Control Group, representatives of land management agencies which control and/or maintain potential land suitable for horse trail development and other potential stakeholders, including:

• City of Greater Geelong Parks and Works Maintenance
• City of Greater Geelong Traffic Operations
• City of Greater Geelong Recreation and Open Space
• City of Greater Geelong Environment
  City of Greater Geelong Rail Trail Committee of Management
• Parks Victoria
• Vic Roads
• Vic Track
• Department of Sustainability & Environment
• Land Care
• Bureau of Animal Welfare
• Australian Horse Industry Council
• Barwon Coast Committee of Management
• Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management

Other consultations undertaken as part of the development of the report include:

• Telephone interviews with individual stakeholders
• A web based survey of horseriders was undertaken – notices were distributed to horse and pony clubs and commercial riding schools, veterinary clinics, and individuals who have expressed an interest in horse trails
• .Hard copies of this questionnaire were made available through Council's Customer Service Centres. A total of 103 responses were received. All avenues of local media will be utilised to highlight the development the survey. These included media release, City News, Community Update and adverts in local papers.

A mail questionnaire to:

• all veterinary clinics in Geelong region.
• horse and pony clubs and riding schools on Bellarine Peninsula.
• An on site survey of users of the Bellarine Rail Trail conducted over 15.5 hours on 7 days (weekdays and weekends) at various times, which resulted in 73 completed questionnaires.
• Briefing session with representatives of horse and pony clubs and horse trail riders, and a follow up meeting when draft reports were available.
• A workshop with all horse and pony clubs based on the Bellarine Peninsula.
• Two bus tours of potential horse trail routes on the Bellarine Peninsula with the Project Working Group and the main proponents for the development of horse trails.
• Public Exhibition and consideration of written submission.