Pony club groundswell

The City of Greater Geraldton will tonight consider a petition signed by 182 Sunset Beach residents opposed to the planned relocation of the Spalding Horse and Pony Club to make way for redevelopment.

The signatories said they would "hate" to see the Glenfield property filled with housing.

"We enjoy seeing the children riding their horses on the grounds and hearing them instructed," the petition said.

"We are very happy to know that disabled children are being helped by doing horse-riding, which is all conducted by volunteer members and their horses from the Spalding Horse and Pony Club."

The petition was listed in the city council agenda forum and relates to the Sunset Beach precinct plan which will come before tonight's full council meeting.

An officer's report recommends council receive the petition and review the precinct plan.

Mayor Ian Carpenter said the request from the petitioners could put the council at odds with its Sporting Futures report endorsed in March last year.

He said the City was working with the Horse and Pony Club in accordance with the recommendation in Sporting Futures to find the club a suitable alternative site.

"It's important we find the right site which suits the amenity and functionality of the club's needs," he said.

"We are working closely with the State Government and the club to get the best outcome."

The Sunset Beach precinct plan proposes to redevelop the Horse and Pony Club site for mixed use.

This was one of a wide range of proposals arising out of an extensive public consultation process and community workshops between April and July last year.