Introduction

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1.1 Purpose of the Plan

This strategic plan has been prepared to provide guidance for the ACT Equestrian Association Inc. (ACTEA) and the ACT Government in the development of sport and recreation facilities for equestrians in the ACT over about the next ten years. It presents the collective views of the ACTEA which is an umbrella organisation representing the diverse range of clubs involved with equestrian sport and recreation in the ACT.

The purpose of the plan is to establish a broad framework within which the ACTEA and its member clubs can plan the future development of their facilities in a logical manner and seek ACT Government support for such development. It is intended also to assist the ACT Government in appreciating how it can contribute effectively to the development of equestrian sport and recreation facilities, as well as indicating how actions by the Government may impinge adversely or beneficially on such facilities.

1.2 The Planning Process

The strategic plan has been prepared and adopted by the ACTEA with assistance of a grant from the ACT Bureau of Sport and Recreation (BSR). This grant enables the engagement of a consultant, David Hogg Pty Ltd, to assist in developing the study approach, compiling background information, identifying the key issues and documenting the plan and background discussion papers. The planning process was overseen by a Steering Committee of the ACTEA. The decisions underlying the plan, however, reflect the consensus views of the ACTEA as a whole. The plan was adopted by a meeting of the ACTEA held on 8 May 2002. [to be confirmed].

The development of the plan was based around three questions:

Where are we now?
Where do we want to be in ten years time?
How are we going to get there?

The planning exercise was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 addressed the first two questions and Phase 2 addressed the third.

Specifically, the purpose of Phase 1 was to collect relevant information on the existing situation with respect to equestrian activities and facilities in the ACT, and to determine the views of the various member clubs as to what facilities they would like to see in the ACT in the foreseeable future. It also included consultations with ACT Government representatives, commercial operators and others with an interest in equestrian sport and recreation to ascertain viewpoints from outside the ACTEA. The initial consultation process involved approximately 22 meetings and 60 telephone conversations, plus the receipt of many written submissions to the ACTEA or the consultant.

The main output of Phase 1 was a comprehensive discussion paper which presented the information collected and posed a series of key questions which formed the basis for developing the strategy presented in this plan. The discussion paper was made available to all number clubs and to other individual equestrians who requested it. The discussion paper with some minor revision of factual material and correction of typographical errors is included as Volume 2 of this report.

The issues raised in the discussion paper were addressed at two meetings convened by the ACTEA to which all local equestrians were invited. The first of these meetings, held on 17 April 2002, addressed future competition and showing facilities. The second, held on 2 May 2002, addressed horse holding facilities and trails. Based on discussion at these meetings, the following strategic plan has been prepared for adoption by the ACTEA. [This section will be amended slightly following adoption of the plan].

1.3 Scope and Limitations of the Plan

The strategic plan represents the collective views of the ACTEA for those equestrian facilities in which its clubs and their members have an interest. For those facilities in which the ACTEA or its members have some direct control in relation to development (e.g. Equestrian Park), it sets out a strategy for undertaking such development. For other facilities which are developed and managed by the ACT Government, private enterprise or other organisations (e.g. EPIC, horse trail, Government and commercial horse holding paddocks), it sets out a strategy for seeking to influence such development for the benefit of its members. In this case, however, the ultimate development decisions rest with the relevant operator.

There are several commercial equestrian facilities in the ACT, some of which are associates of the ACTEA, which at times provide services to clubs or to individual horse owners. Because of the limited influence that the ACTEA has over these facilities, these are generally excluded from the plan in specific terms, although the value of such facilities to equestrian sport and recreation is acknowledged. It is expected that each of these facilities would plan its own development and, in doing so, is encouraged to take account of the strategic plan.

As discussed further in Chapter 2, facilities represent only part of the broad picture of equestrian sport and recreation. There are many other aspects which are also important to equestrian sport development, including teaching and coaching, event organisation, breeding, support services, insurance, promotion, volunteer management and funding. These aspects also need to be addressed at both strategic and operational levels by the ACTEA and its member clubs.

The strategic plan for equestrian facilities is seen ultimately as forming one component of a more comprehensive strategic plan which addresses all of the above aspects of equestrian sport and recreation in the ACT.

It should be noted that the plan does not include the professional racing (gallops and harness) or working horse (Police, studs) sectors of the horse industry. It is also limited geographically to the area within the ACT, although in practical terms the ACT border is very much an artificial one, with strong equestrian interaction in many ways between the ACT and the area immediately surrounding it.

1.4 Application of the Plan

It is envisaged that the strategic plan will be used in the following ways:

	To set priorities for development of facilities undertaken by or on behalf of the ACTEA (e.g. in relation to Equestrian Park).
	To assist the ACTEA in ranking submissions from its member clubs for ACT Government funding, particularly through the Bureau of Sport and Recreation.
	To assist the ACT Government in reviewing applications for funding by the ACTEA and its member clubs.
	To establish principles and policies to support ACTEA representatives in their dealings with the ACT Government with respect to trails, horse paddocks and other communal facilities.
	To assist the ACT Government in assessing how planning and management decisions and policies are likely to impact on equestrian sport and recreation, both now and in the future.
	To assist commercial operators in understanding the needs and priorities of the local equestrian community and enable them to plan their own development on this basis.
	To promote consideration of the potential role of commercial facilities among the local equestrian community and the ACT Government.
	To identify the possible need for the ACTEA to address other aspects of development which, while not directly related to facilities, are important in providing a viable context for the successful development and management of facilities.

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