The review of Council’s 2014 Equestrian Strategy is complete. The draft Equestrian Strategy has been prepared and is being presented to the community for feedback.

The draft Equestrian Strategy included a review of the progress of the 2014 Strategy and incorporated feedback received from the community during a seven-week period of engagement from May – 30 June 2021. Council sought community feedback on:

• How local equestrian facilities and trails were used
• Which local equestrian facilities and trails were used
• Current issues affecting the equestrian community
• Suggested improvements to local equestrian facilities and trails.
• The online survey was completed by 251 people, with 150 people providing feedback through the interactive online map

The revised draft Equestrian Strategy aims to better support our community to participate in equestrian activities by setting Council’s strategic vision and objectives to help to drive how Council will utilise existing resources to maintain and improve equestrian trails and facilities, as well as how Council can better work with the equestrian community, clubs, and partner organisations.

The review of the Equestrian Strategy included the following stages of development:

Stage 1: Background review – a desktop analysis of relevant Cardinia Shire Council strategies and reports, analysis of participation trends, review of demographic data, review of the 2014 Strategy and interviews with Cardinia Shire Council staff.

Stage 2: Round 1 Consultation and facility assessments – review of the 2021 Equestrian Community Survey and audits of equestrian trails and facilities in Cardinia Shire.

Stage 3: Draft Strategy – preparation of the draft Strategy for public exhibition

Stage 4: Final Strategy – finalise Strategy and present for Cardinia Shire Council adoption.

We are currently at Stage 3 of the project, presenting the draft Equestrian Strategy for community consultation. This second phase of the consultation program will be the presentation of the draft Equestrian Strategy, strategic vision and objectives, and proposed trail network for community feedback.

Council officers will be available to meet with equestrian clubs during the consultation period and will seek feedback from external agencies such as other local government areas and land managers to provide feedback on the Draft Equestrian Strategy.

Following this round of community engagement, the draft Equestrian Strategy will be refined based on feedback received and finalised. The final Equestrian Strategy will then be presented to Council Meeting for adoption.