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…
For many years ACTEA has wrestled with the desire to create a map of equestrian trails in the ACT. In the beginning the limiting factor was the inability to update paper-based maps in any sort of useful time frame. The development of electronic mapping capacity within government agencies has given this project a big boost and over the last 4 years ACTEA has been working…
The Canberra Balloon Spectacular commences this Saturday 7 March. Events ACT have provided ACTEA with the flying protocol for pilots. Sections 2.2-2.5 are relevant to equestrians. The last page is a colour coded table giving fly over heights for Equestrian Park and agistment centres including government paddocks. Balloons are not allowed to land at the Arboretum and ACTEA has advised Events ACT that it is…
The Suburban Land Agency landscaping at North Weston Ponds has been completed but the hot dry Summer has delayed establishment of some plantings so the security fencing won’t come down just yet. The same weather has delayed the start of Stage 2 of the works. Stage 2 involves closing access to Southwells Crossing to all users. The Stage 2 landscaping works are not expected to…
After some years of discussion the first steps are now being taken toward construction of an hotel at the Arboretum. Because the Arboretum is subject to Commonwealth law the approval process for a hotel on such a prominent site is a little different. The NCA has already set limits on what can be constructed on the site and where. Because of the limitations on developments…
There is currently no threat to property and no evacuations have been ordered for residents, horses or other animals in the ACT. EPIC will NOT be available for Horse Relocation from 5pm Saturday, 22 February to 5pm Thursday, 4 March 2020 due to the setup, operations and pack down of the Royal Canberra Show. During this period The Queanbeyan, Braidwood, Bungendore and Hall Show grounds…