Petition to save the Fannie Bay Equestrian Club gains 1700 signatures

THE Darwin community has put its support behind the Fannie Bay Equestrian Club, with almost 1700 people signing a petition to let the club stay where it is

Fannie Bay Equestrian Club hands over petitions to Darwin Council. PICTURE: Katrina Bridgeford

THE  Darwin community has rallied behind the Fannie Bay Equestrian Club, with almost 1700 people signing a petition to let it stay where it is.

Yesterday, the petition was officially handed over to Darwin­ Council aldermen Rebecca­ Want de Rowe and Emma Young, who will put forward a motion to the council­ tomorrow night, which would see the pony club given a new 20-year lease. Club president Mel Brenton said she was thrilled by the support the community had shown.

“Today is a big step forward for us and gives us help for the future,” she said.

“The community has shown it wants to keep our children smiling and keep an old club where it belongs.

“While it’s not a done deal yet, we’re looking forward to working with council.”

Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim and aldermen George Lambrinidis, Bob Elix, Mick Palmer, Gary Haslett and Justine Glover, alongside Ms Want de Rowe and Ms Young, last week told the NT News that they intended to support the motion.

This took the supporting numbers to a majority.

Ms Brenton said she understood there had been some criticism of the club not having an open door policy.

“It’s a community asset and their comments are always welcome,” she said.

“One thing we always have to think of is safety for the public, the horses and our members.

“But we want to keep the club an affordable place so that a single mum like me can continue to bring her daughter.

“People are always going to have different ideas but until we can talk to those people, we can’t move forward ... We’re looking forward to having more shared communication with both council and the community­.” The council is expected­ to vote on the issue tomorrow night.