Irene Grant and Havey Benton flag concerns with compost facility connected to Reith Road equine centre

In the absence of the Reith Road facility realising its full potential and becoming a thoroughbred racing centre of excellence, a planning scheme amendment has been requested to broaden equine uses including construction of stables for harness racing or horse husbandry purposes.

Another proposed use is a site for recycling manure into compost which has attracted the attention of Cr Irene Grant and Cr Harvey Benton.

"I've got some real reservations about the compost processing," Cr Grant said.

"I'm reassured that it has to come back to council to seek planning approval.

"I'm hoping it doesn't slip through the cracks because sometimes these things do."

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Cr Benton shared the same concerns.

"It intrigues me how it got to this stage in the first place," he said.

"But the one reservation going forward is the proposed manure handling project that has been highlighted.

"I will judge it (on its merits) if that planning permit ever comes back."

Government and racing industry funding was sourced for the training and education centre dedicated solely to thoroughbred racing and gained ministerial approval.

"This has been a fairly difficult process and one of those proposals that got the support for a special use zone because it didn't tick any particular box," Cr Grant said.

"It was sold as something that was going to build on the equine industry in Wangaratta.

"It hasn't realised that, but with loosening of conditions it might allow it to do that."

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