Warning that riding club may not continue if Breakout Creek plans not changed
Lockleys Riding Club has appeared before a local council, raising fears for its future and its horses if the Breakout Creek plan goes ahead in its current form.
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The Lockleys Riding Club is seeking the support of western councils in its bid to maintain viable horse numbers through the planned $12m Breakout Creek upgrade.
Last week, plans for the project, which involves wetlands being extended from Tapleys Hill Road to the Torrens Outlet at West Beach, were released.
Riding Club secretary Mark Jones appeared before the Charles Sturt Council last night, saying under these plans, the club would not be viable.
“Our current area holds 20 horses. Under these plans, it would be a maximum of eight horses,” he said.
At the moment, the plans give the riding club access to 25 per cent of its current agistment area.
Mr Jones said even if the area was increased to 33 per cent of its present size, it would make a significant difference.
“We really need 14 horses to remain sustainable into the future, financially and in terms of member resources, to have people on the ground to do the activities the club needs to do,” he said.
Mr Jones said the club believed that 33 per cent of the current area, along with irrigation and significant weed control, would allow them to continue.
“We want to see this project go ahead, it’s a wonderful development, but we also want to make sure the club remains viable,” he said.
“It would be a shame to lose our little bit of the country in the city. But if we have to go below 14 (horses) we will become unsustainable.”
Mr Jones said the club was also working closely with West Torrens Council to ensure its future at the site.
Green Adelaide – part of the state department of environment and water – members also made presentations at the Charles Sturt meeting last night, stressing consultation was still underway.
Presiding member Professor Chris Daniels said making provision for the horses was one of the nine guiding design principles of the plan for Breakout Creek and feedback was still being taken.
“We’re actively seeking anybody and everybody’s ideas on the design,” he said.
“There are a lot of stakeholders and a lot of strong views about the way it should be.”
To view the plans and have your day visit https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/decisions/breakout-creek-stage-three-redevelopment/about
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