General News
15 February, 2026
Amber alert: Ahmad's 'nervous' horse soils foyer in permit barney
HIGH STREET chaos gripped the Loddon Shire offices on Monday when irate new citizen Ahmad Dehayat and horse Amber entered the foyer.
Ahmad, an Iranian refugee who bought land seized by council when rates went unpaid and became an Australian citizen in December, had been told he could not camp on the Newbold Street property.
But Ahmad said he had earlier paid for the permit and wanted the fee returned as his barney with council escalated.
His first attempt on Friday, had the horse he says had been rescued “when it was skin and bones” tethered outside the shire’s High Street, Wedderburn, headquarters,
Ahmad returned on Monday when friends said Amber “made a real mess in the foyer”. One supporter of the trained fitter and turner and animal lover told the Loddon Herald: “Guess Amber got a little nervous!”
Police were called for a second time and Ahmad said he was given a permit fee refund.
“They (council) made me angry so I went to the office ... I don’t want to lose the land and my animals,” Ahmad said.
“This land is mine, I would like to live on this block, it’s my dream.”
Ahmad, who has a caravan and shipping container on the block he has transformed from barren old mining ground to a sanctuary for himself and animals and planted 180 trees less than 200 metres from other homes, says he cannot afford to build a new home on the block.
Among the trees Ahmad has planted since buying the the block three years ago is an Australian native presented by Mayor Dan Straub at his Australian citizenship ceremony in December.
Ahmad said he enjoyed spending time with his animals, which include Amber, goats, pigeons, a peacock, chickens and a dog.
Ahmad’s supporters, who did not want to be named, said seeking a refund had been a matter of principle and when the money was refunded, he threw it to the floor saying the lucky finder could keep the cash.
Loddon Shire chief executive officer Lincoln Fitzgerald said: “Council cannot comment on individual cases. Any actions taken were carried out in accordance with council policies and procedures.”
However, Mr Fitzgerald said council staff responded “in accordance with existing procedure and the matter was referred to Victoria Police” when asked about Ahmad and Amber’s visits to the shire offices.
He also said: “Council undertakes a review of any incident where there is reasonable concern for the health and safety of staff or community members.”
Mr Fitzgerald said local laws staff made regular compliance checks and respond to reports of potential breaches under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and Council’s Community Local Law 2022.
Ahmad said he had fled Iran because of war and political conflict, leaving behind his parents and daughter in 2013.
“I want to live here peacefully. I know I had a horse with me when at the offices but they (council) weren’t nice.”
