Horse Tram Committee set to finalise review of Victor Harbor icon

The City of Victor Harbor’s Horse Tram Committee is set to finalise its review of Victor Harbor’s iconic tram service.

At its meeting on Tuesday, 19 September 2017 the Committee agreed to a number of recommendations to be presented to Council for consideration at a Special Meeting expected to be held next month.

The key recommendation involves the establishment of a subsidiary under Section 42 of the Local Government Act. The Committee's intention is for the subsidiary, governed by a board and owned by the Council, to oversee the horse tram operation.

The Committee believe that this structure will allow the horse tram service to achieve efficiencies and increase revenue, with the ultimate aim to secure a sustainable future for the iconic tourist attraction.

In addition to recommending the establishment of a Section 42 Subsidiary, the Committee have suggested a number of measures that will achieve financial savings including insourcing the floating of the horses to and from the Causeway. This measure alone is estimated to save around $24,000 this financial year and $52,000 in 2018/19.

The Horse Tram Committee was established in July 2016 to review the operation and provide recommendations that aim to ensure the tram service remains a staple in Victor Harbor’s tourism offerings.

City of Victor Harbor Mayor Graham Philp commended the Horse Tram Committee for the significant body of work that has been undertaken.

“The Committee’s work has been comprehensive. They have reviewed around 20 years of records, previous service reviews and past consultancy reports, analysed financials, reviewed service frequency, interviewed staff, consulted the public, reviewed procedures, examined horse husbandry practices and considered marketing activities,” said Mayor Philp.

“The Committee have worked in line with Council’s mandate to safeguard the operation of the iconic experience in Victor Harbor. They have been clear in their recommendations that Council and the community must retain full ownership and control of the Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram.”