Hoodies can’t live under horses’ hooves!

Hooded Plovers spend their lives on the sand, feeding and raising their young on ocean beaches across much of southern Australia.

They are also nationally threatened, with less than 600 birds left in Victoria.

Belfast Coastal Reserve, between Port Fairy and Warrnambool, is one of the most important Hooded Plover breeding grounds in Victoria. 

But the Hoodies of Belfast Coastal Reserve are now under siege. 

Every day, up to 150 commercial racehorses gallop up and down the beaches and dunes of Belfast Coastal Reserve–a public conservation reserve–impacting Hooded Plover nests, eggs and chicks. 

These beach-nesting birds don’t stand a chance in the face of thundering hooves.

The Andrews’ Victorian Government is moving to legitimise this practice by introducing licenses to racehorse trainers with little community consultation – it’s a disgrace.

Commercial racehorse training does not belong on a public beach.

Our beaches should be a place for people to safely enjoy Australia’s beautiful coastline, and where native wildlife can live in peace.

Racehorses would never be allowed to train at Torquay, Bondi, Cottesloe or the beaches of the Gold Coast. Why should they be allowed in a public conservation reserve that is vital to our birdlife?

BirdLife Australia is calling for:

1. A total & immediate ban on all commercial racehorse training in the Belfast Coastal Reserve
2. The Reserve to be made a Coastal Park.