While the land exchange with the ACT Government appears to be final the North Curtin Horse Paddocks are of little use to the National Capital Authority with their current zoning as Broadacre – which allows only for the paddocks and other open space uses. Amendment D95 requires a specific decision to amend the National Capital Plan to rezone the North Curtin Horse Paddocks as Urban…
Equestrian Park is now able to take bookings for events of up to 20 participants plus a coach. Officials and supporters should be kept to a minimum and everyone should practice social distancing and good hygiene. You can make bookings for any part of the Park at eqparkbookings@gmail.com and discuss any requirements specific to Equestrian Park with the Park Manager. All bookings will be visible…
Please feel free to use any of the following arguments in your own submissions. Draft Amendment 95 (DA95) and its public consultation (or lack of) conflicts with multiple NCA and ACT Government plans. These include: National Capital Plan matters of national significance and objectives NCA Commitment to Community Engagement (August 2015) National Capital Authority’s Draft Tree Management Plan ACT Government Climate Strategy to a Net…
The National Capital Authority has now released a Draft Amendment Discussion Paper ( https://www.nca.gov.au/consultation/national-capital-plan-draft-amendment-95-north-curtin-diplomatic-estate-and-urban-area) for comment by 7 July and a video https://www.nca.gov.au/consultation/national-capital-plan-draft-amendment-95-north-curtin-diplomatic-estate-and-urban-area. The actual Draft Amendment is here. Everyone who has been focused on the horse paddocks will be astonished to see that the draft amendment includes changes to the 10 hectares of the horse paddocks not intended for embassies. The strip of land…
On the Anzac long weekend those of you out and about will have noticed a lot more people on the trails you usually use around paddocks. It some places there was carnage with mountain bikes using trails as racetracks. Several people came off horses and were otherwise injured. Quite a few cyclists seemed totally unapologetic about their impact and implied, or even said, they were…
Back in 2018, ACTEA made a submission to an ACT Legislative Assembly Inquiry into Nature in Our City, conducted by the Standing Committee on the Environment and Transport and City Services. The Committee interviewed a large number of people in 2019 representing the many groups who interact with our flora and fauna and our nature reserves. They did not interview ACTEA and horse riding gets…
We may not be able to hold competitions at the moment but we can acknowledge distinguished horse people of the ACT and region who contributed to the equestrian community in 2019. This is an opportunity to celebrate our terrific community and thank those who contribute to its quality and vitality. The awards will be made at the ACTEA Annual General Meeting. Nominations close on 31…
The news that the North Curtin Government Horse Paddocks have been used by the ACT Government in a land swap deal with the National Capital Authority (NCA) came as a shock to everyone in the local equestrian community. Most people found out about it from the front page of the Canberra Times on 25 March ( https://the-riotact.com/shock-and-outrage-at-west-basin-land-swap-with-curtin-horse-paddocks/365850). As far as ACTEA can make out even…
Questions have been raised about whether horse owners can drive to paddocks to feed their animals, particularly if those horses are on the other side of the ACT/NSW border. Advice from the Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith, today is as follows: People will be allowed to travel to feed animals. I am conscious of the need to ensure that agistment facilities, kennels, etc are appropriately…
The ACT Equestrian Association has just been advised by the National Capital Authority that it has acquired 70% of the North Curtin Horse Paddocks for a new diplomatic estate. This is not expected to effect the paddocks until 2022, the end of the current Territory Agistment management arrangements. The NCA has directed all questions about the future of the paddocks to the ACT Government’s Planning…
