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Government Paddocks
There are now 17 ACT Government-managed horse holding paddocks covering all areas of Canberra, although unfortunately areas set aside for agistment are not keeping pace with urban growth. Gungahlin, for example, has no Government paddocks in existence nor are any planned. Each Government paddock is associated with a group of suburbs so that when you apply for listing you will be allocated to a particular paddock according to where you live. In several instances you may have a choice of two or three paddocks, although you can only be on the waiting list for one paddock at any one time. Table 3.1 lists the Government paddocks, their locations, and the catchment suburbs allocated to them. (Note, however, as this book went to print, the Government was considering introducing a more general system of suburb allocations.) Government horse holding paddocks range in area from 20 to120 hectares and at each site there is usually a complex of paddocks (from 2-8 depending on the site). Horses are rotated from one paddock to another within the complex according to agronomic conditions. Each site contains a feeding area, a carpark and entry roadway for vehicles, an activity area, and a yard for holding horses for short periods of time if they are injured or at risk of founder. Concrete troughs supplied with town water are provided in each paddock. Other facilities at each site may include washing bays, truck loading ramps, and basic dressage arenas. These extra facilities, however, do vary considerably from one site to another.
PROCEDURE FOR PLACEMENTThere is often a waiting list for Government paddocks, particularly during times of drought, although some paddocks, especially those with small suburb catchment The government paddocks are managed by Paul and Lee Carmody of Horse Farms ACT. Lee is the Paddock Manager: Horse Farms ACT
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There could be few other capital cities in the world where the government
manages horse holding paddocks on its own land for the benefit of city
residents. The system of government paddocks in Canberra arose from a desire on
the part of planners in the ACT in the 1960s to move horses out of the backyards
of Canberra houses in order to improve the city's image as a National Capital.
