New road on track

THE Hobart City Council has approved the building of a road at Macquarie Point, despite concerns it will stymie future options to build a new light rail service.

VOLUNTEER organisation Riding for the Disabled Association has been helping Tasmanians for decades, but the coronavirus restrictions have left the group struggling for funds.

The costs of caring for the group’s 15 horses is normally covered by tuition and riding fees, along with fundraising efforts by members.

However, due to the

COVID-19 restrictions, the group has been unable to operate, and it does not meet the criteria for government assistance.

A call has now gone out for anyone who may be able to help the group by donating money, horse feed or other much-needed supplies.

RDA Tasmania executive officer and coach Claudia Nevah said the organisation had between 60 and 80 clients it helped on a regular basis.

Ms Nevah said riding could be an excellent form of physiotherapy for those with physical disabilities, because it exercised the body’s core muscles and could improve balance.

Many with mental health issues also benefit from interacting with horses.

Ms Nevah said the reaction to being with horses from some people who usually struggled with verbal communication could be “amazing”.

While a number of RDA clients attend for therapy reasons, Ms Nevah said others were also keen to learn how to ride.

RDA operates at Glenorchy and St Helens, but Ms Nevah said there was huge demand in the North and North-West, where they would love to establish new centres.

A Need For Feed campaign has been launched on the RDA website. To help, visit www.rdatas.org.au