Land users near the Wimmera River in Horsham are worried they might have to relocate as part of a 20-year vision to transform Horsham.
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At Monday night's meeting, Horsham Rural City Council voted to put the Wimmera River Precinct and Central Activity District Vision and Masterplan on public exhibition for four weeks.
Councillor John Robinson moved a rescission motion directly after, meaning this will not take place until the proposal is reconsidered. A special council meeting is on Wednesday at 5.30pm.
Suggestions include redesigning the bottom of Firebrace Street to include a new entrance for the caravan park, new parking and trees a water park and a plaza.
Existing public land uses impacted as part of site transition will be directly consulted by Council, including Horsham Lawn Tennis Club, Horsham Croquet Club, Horsham Riverside Caravan Park, Wimmera Miniature Railway, Greyhound Racing Victoria, Horsham Greyhound Racing Club, Wimmera Woodturners Guild and Horsham City Pipe Band.
- Draft Wimmera River and Central Activity District masterplan as printed in council's June 24 meeting.
Horsham Lawn Tennis Club president Andrew Dorman said he was invited to speak to the council last month. He said he was told the plans for the riverfront did not involve the club.
"I said, 'where are we to go?' and it was suggested we join another club," he said. "That conversation has certainly sparked a lot of thoughts and discussion at the club and the community."
Mr Dorman said the club had 140 members - most under 14 - and was in a stable position financially.
He said it was critical the club remained where it was as it sought fence, lighting and grass upgrades with a view to holding state regional tournaments.
"If we don't have council support for developing the area, it makes it hard to apply for grants from governments or Tennis Victoria," he said.
The adjacent Horsham Croquet Club uses the tennis courts for regional tournaments. President Betty Etherton said she also met with the council last month.
"They were saying we weren't suitable to hold regional tournaments, which I don't agree with. We hold a three-day tournament every October where people come from across three states," she said.
"The club keeps a lot of older people in the community active and it's easy for people to get to. If we do relocate, I'm not sure how we are going to integrate our courts."
Miniature railway member Colin Warrick said council had told the group not to develop the site further. Horsham Greyhound Racing Club declined to comment, while Horsham Riverside Caravan Park's Sue Jones said she was yet to meet with council over their plans.
The council's chief executive Sunil Bhalla confirmed council had met with the lawn tennis club, croquet club and miniature railway.
"It was communicated the draft plan proposed the full activation of the botanical gardens which, as a result, included the removal of the facilities," he said.
"It was stated the proposed plan was a draft and would need to be resolved by council to make it available for public exhibition, which would provide an opportunity for feedback.
"Once the final plan is determined, council will work with groups impacted - including assistance regarding relocation."
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