Kalbarri residents in two minds on horses exercising on foreshore after debacle between dog and horse owners

Designated exercise zones for dogs and horses will be allocated along Kalbarri Foreshore after uncontrolled animals sparked conflict between owners. The Kalbarri community raised concerns about horses galloping along the designated river foreshore amongst people and through the pelican feeding area. Dogs and horses mixing in areas along the foreshore without control or conditions also created conflict between owners. The Shire of Northampton carried the motion to introduce designated areas at its December 16 meeting after requesting public comment. Designated areas restrict a section of the beach for dogs only and a larger space is allocated for restricted horse exercise. The dog exercise area allows off-leash exercise for dogs from the Fisherman’s Wharf Jetty until the beach access carpark south of Auger Street. Auger Street until the Kalbarri jetty will be considered a horse exercise area with restrictions. Dogs can still access the horse zone but must be walked on a leash. Horses are allowed to walk and swim in zone A, are only permitted in the zone between 6am and 8am, aren’t permitted during school holidays and owners must pick up any horse litter. Horse zone B, on the opposite side of the river, is an unrestricted horse exercise zone. Community objections included comments how the dog exercise zone was also allocated to four-wheel drive access with the beach “too soft and rutted” for animals to run each day and although horses were “beautiful”, they were “large and intimidating” for the general public. Supporting submissions commented that more signage would cause less confusion, horse owners were asking for a small area in comparison to their size and watching horses would be pleasurable for “older and younger” beach goers. Acting CEO Maurice Battilana said reducing the dog exercise zone marginally and banning horses from the area should be an improvement for the community. “Concerns raised could be solved by horses on town side of river foreshore only being permitted to walk and swim in this area,” he said. “Degradation of vegetation could be monitored and permits withdrawn if the horses using an area result in this becoming an issue.”