Riding school tax hit

By Bridget Brady
VICTORIA’S oldest riding school faces an uncertain future if the 40-hectare property is included in the extension of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).
Directors at Oakwood Riding School in Clyde North say inclusion in the UGB would see them faced with skyrocketing council rates or, if they sell, a tax bill of $3.8 million.
One of the school’s directors Michael Hocking said $3.8 million was not an attainable figure for the not-for-profit riding school, which last year celebrated its 50th birthday.
“There are huge uncertainties involved. It could be the end of the 50-year history. That will be a real tragedy. It’s a place like this that keeps kids off the streets,” Mr Hocking said.
Under the Growth Areas Authority (GAA) proposed infrastructure contribution scheme, those brought into the UBG in 2009 pay $95,000 per hectare when they sell.
Mr Hocking said the council currently offered subsidised rates for the riding school because it was not-for-profit, but said there was no certainty rates would not climb.
“A place like this simply won’t exist in the UGB … we’re a bit cheesed off.”
Demand for land was part of the reason the riding school moved from its Narre Warren location to Clyde North about three years ago, and could force them out again.
And the riding school fears it could be carved up and forced to sell if Thompsons Road is extended through the property.
Chief instructor and general manager Sue Chandler said the school would close if the road was built through the property.
“You can’t have a freeway through a riding school. It would be a blow that would knock us flat,” Ms Chandler said.
But State Government spokesman Bill Kyriakopoulos said the road project was long term and no final route had been decided nor any funds committed.
About 100 children attend the riding school and Ms Chandler said many people from Melbourne kept their horses at the property.
“If we had to move further away it just wouldn’t be viable for those already travelling from Melbourne.”
Staff and the committee of volunteers were able to purchase the land in Clyde and build the school purely from profits made from selling the land in Narre Warren.
“We don’t make millions,” Ms Chandler said.
“I don’t know what our prospects are if we don’t stay here. We’d never be able to build this place again.”
Office manager Pauline Rogers, who has worked for Oakwood Riding School for 25 years, said she would never like the see the school closed.
“We nurture children’s passion about riding. It’s such a great place for them,” Ms Rogers said.