By Jed Lanyon
Plans for a world class equestrian centre in the Yarra Valley are on the table again as equestrian group, Yarra Valley Equestrian Park (YVEP), hopes the Federal Government will match their funding to start construction on the project.
YVEP, is a self-funded, not for profit association that has been pushing to see the construction of a major equestrian hub in the Yarra Valley for years. The project has seen community clubs and stakeholders pledge $1.25 million to begin stage one of construction and have put forward an application for the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).
YVEP president Geoff Sinclair said, “The project will serve the needs of our local riders with new and enhanced facilities to enable the best of conditions for multi-discipline competition right through to international level events.”
“Extensive research and planning has informed our recent progress and ensured we are shovel ready. We are anticipating turning soil and completing the project within 12 months of a successful BBRF outcome.”
The equestrian park would be located on a 40 hectare Yering property, the current site of the Yarra Glen and Lilydale Hunt Club along the Melba Highway.
An independent economic report found that the project would provide $3.8 million for the local economy by servicing 35,000 patrons and providing for 24 full-time jobs once operating.
“We’ve discovered through a council survey that there are nearly 11,000 equestrians in the Yarra Valley and that 50 per cent of Equestrian Victoria’s membership numbers live within 50 kilometres of the Yarra Valley.
“There is a huge equestrian audience that is just bursting looking for venues that are in our local area, east of Melbourne, to train or compete at.”
Currently the only major equestrian hubs are located in Werribee and Boneo on the Mornington Peninsula, each about 100 kilometres from the proposed site of the proposed Yarra Valley Equestrian Park.
But it’s not just about providing a location for local riders to compete as Mr Sinclair said the world-class facility would bring in equestrians from all over the state. YVEP has consulted an architecture firm to provide a detailed planning process for the first stage of works.
Mr Sinclair said the project is just waiting on the outcome of the Federal Government grant process (expected in July) and that the venue could be up and running within 12 months.
He said the venue’s space could be utilised as a fire refuge facility in the event of emergency and could host regional events such as agricultural shows.
The project is yet to receive funding from any level of government.
