Eumundi Voice - Issue 109, 23 January 2025

HOOFBEATS FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Hoofbeats Sanctuary – a mental health centre operated by local charity Kanyini Connections Ltd – faces an uncertain future after the Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) informed the charity that the 8-acre site located on Fellowship Dr Doonan would be re-purposed for use by the Yandina and District Pony Club. The charity has until 28 February to relocate.

SCC stated that 2021 planning identified the need to relocate the pony club to the Doonan facility as the current facility at Yandina is no longer

suitable for its large membership numbers. Due to the large membership of the club and the privacy needs of Hoofbeats, both organisations advised council they could not share either the Doonan or Yandina facilities.

Hoofbeats Sanctuary CEO Barb Blashki said, “With negotiations exhausted, Hoofbeats has launched a campaign to raise $3M to purchase a new property. The council claims to have offered an alternative site with financial support for infrastructure, but the details remain unclear with the site being smaller, flood-prone and only available on a 12-month permit.”

“Whilst we have access to the Fellowship Dr site at no cost, council is requesting $980 in permit fees per year for us to utilise the Yandina Pony Club site on Andersons Rd. They have sent us a request to pay the permit fee before confirmation of improvements has been received. This means that we are being expected to commit to using a site without any guarantee that the site is fit for purpose.”

SCC Deputy Mayor and Div 9 Cr Maria Suarez said, “Hoofbeats has been offered a new location in Yandina. We are providing financial support for improved facilities such as drainage, an undercover night safe area, fencing, solar and battery package, septic and an office/reception. Hoofbeats accepted the relocation offer in November 2024 and council is now working on designs and contractor procurement.

“Hoofbeats has been operating under a sub-user agreement with Eumundi and District Pony Club since April 2020. This agreement ended when the pony club ceased operations in February 2023. Since then, council has offered Hoofbeats a month-by-month tenancy while they sought alternative sites.

“The Doonan facility was designed and built for equestrian sports and is not suitable for Hoofbeats Sanctuary due to zoning codes designating it as a district-level sport and recreation precinct, intended to accommodate increased equestrian activity,” said Cr Suarez.

SCC states that they initially provided Hoofbeats 18 months to find an alternative location and extended this by 6 months in September 2024, acknowledging their preference for a privatelyowned facility and not a council owned or managed site.

“With just 4 weeks until eviction, the charity faces the prospect of being homeless, halting critical mental health programs and laying off staff,” said Barb.

Hoofbeats has reached out to SCC, requesting an extension to stay at the current site until the new site is ready, compliant with building regulations and to waive the permit fee.