Save Oxford Falls


christine's picture

By christine - Posted on 23 July 2007

I hope you guys put as much energy into trying to save Oxford Falls from being decimated for houses as you have into having a go at Alex...at least trying to save Oxford Falls works for the greater good of everyone!

Alex's picture

ok last point, thanks for the trail building sites guys, ill definantly have a look-see and study up Smiling and if I can turn your attention to a page in the imba trail maintance handbook...

http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/ima...

Stuart M's picture

Although I think yours was bigger, "mechanized equipment" that is Eye-wink

dreggsy's picture

Wo do we contact to write to about this?
Whats going to happen to the model aeroplane guys as from memory the bought their section of land?
Maybe we can get them onside to help our cause...

arpit's picture

They got a lease on it, I think (at least, that's what their sign says). It may be crown land. You could find out officially from the Department of lands, but that might be expensive. Someone high up in the aeroplane club might be the best bet. The people at Bike Addiction and MWMTB may know too.
My personal belief is that most of the areas are controlled by the department of lands, who lease lots out to people.
http://www.npansw.org.au/web/conservation/Sydney...

I think some people also want to add Oxford Falls to Garigal National Park - Supporting that idea would probably be the easiest course of action. It would probably mean losing the singletrack, though.
http://www.npansw.org.au/web/conservation/Sydney...

That said, I rode Oxford Falls yesterday. The DH track is amazing. The XC track is very eroded (fun) and a little overgrown (not so fun). Much of the other singletrack is incredibly overgrown so as to make riding it quite an unpleasant experience. SO, whilst there may be a lot on the map, only a little is rideable.

In regards to trail preservation and lobbying - Mountainbikers do a bloody awful job.
Mountainbikers will encourage each other to join MTBA - even if they don't race. After all, if they send their 2 dollars a week, everything will be sweet! They'll get more and more trails to ride on, right? Umm, not quite.

MTBA is focused on racing, not on trails. They want to create a large SPORT of mountain biking, rather than working to create an environment where people can hop on a bike, and spend an hour cruising down a trail to relax. Lobbying for trails is left to local clubs- clubs who don't have very much political clout at all. Further, these clubs keep most mountainbikers in the dark about their lobbying. If you ask their committee members what they are doing, they tell you to join the club and attend the meetings. That's unrealistic. I ride in Canberra, the Central Coast, the South Coast, the Blue Mountains, Lithgow, the North Shore, Manly, the Royal National Park. Keeping in touch would mean me paying quite a large sum as membership fees for the clubs which cover those areas.

The conventional wisdom that MTBA is our salvation is fallacious.

What can be done?

I think that the best way for mountainbikers to work towards trail preservation is to join the National Parks Association, and attend their meetings. They are a very large and powerful conservation organisation. One of their goals seems to be the eradication of developments, trail and mountainbikers, and horses from tracks. Their other goal seems to be the support of bushwalking.

If it becomes apparent to them that many of their members only support conservation because of their mountain biking, I think their mountainbikers-are-bad idea would fade. This would happen faster if mountainbikers became committee members.

Without the mountainbikers -are-bad idea, they would be a conservation organisation who supports the creation of trails. Just what we want.

Flynny's picture

Yep. I've submitted a response or two. If I recall correctly Oxford falls has been slatted for redevelopment for at least 6 years... Actually come to think of it I'm sure the was a Trails guide vid that came out in 99 (Sydney Off road ?) and the Oxfordfalls/redhill segment in that ended with something like If you want to check this area out be quick it's all going to be redeveloped soon...

I think that could be the reason the relevant authorities have been happy to turn a blind eye to trail construction there over those years.

Alex, yes IMBA use machines, they are also anal about gradients. They cut the trails armour a single track and then replant up to the sides of the trail to make it single track. Land managers here almost fell off their seats at that photo and were quick to point out that our soils are far more erosion prone and our vegetations much slower growing. Smoke and mirrors? Maybe.

Flynny's picture

MTBA is focused on racing, not on trails.

Then why do they spend so much money on trail advocacy and access/ why do they bring out IMBA reps and people from places like Forest UK to talk to land managers to show them how things have progressed in other parts of the world?

Why are they funding the set up and Australia arm of IMBA?

"If you ask their committee members what they are doing, they tell you to join the club and attend the meetings"

why have they set up subscribeale newsgroups?

Comments like that pee me off no end. Why have Department of Lands handed over the Mt York Convict to Blue Mts Council and why does their plan of management include MTB as a suitable activity? I didn't see any non "race club" people at the meetings pushing for it.

Why are Department of lands revaluating and hopefully adding to the Trial MTB access to the six foot track? A NSWMTB rep started the ball rolling there and we're working hand in hand with people like Celia and Martin G to get a better deal for MTB access.

Why are there Trails in Lidsdale State forest open for people to ride any time?

And that is just in my neck of the woods.

MTBA are far from perfect but they are working hard to make things better.

Matt's picture

Is there anything you need help/support in, theres a lot of people on this forum and I'm sure even the most lazy-arsed of us would like to do something. Terracare's great but is there anything more?

OT - Just out of interest but I spend a fair bit of time in Auckland and was wondering why something like Woodhill bike park there wouldn't work here, is it a liability thing or a land availability thing or just not enough money in it?

craigs's picture

If interest rates continue to go up development will probably slow down cos there wont be as much money around to pay the top dollar and make the development realise the full potential.
It could be said we are trending upwards with regards to interest and that could be a 10+ year cycle based on history...
Hope fully my bike wont wear out because if interest rates do keep going up I wont be able to fix it!
Generally I agree that we probably need to lobby so that we get heard.
If the thousands of people that use the land speak up then we might get somewhere to either retaining some space or a dedicated area..

Gordon G.

Rob's picture

I believe I've ranted before about this: Beginning of the end. Ooops Eye-wink

If people are seriously interested in trail advocacy we should start a few campaigns. We can use a separate group on this site to avoid boring people who don't want to see it.

From the petition Garry instigated and other things that have been said we've learnt that to get something done it would appear many letters (real, hard copy, send in the snail mail) need to be sent. To whom, and saying what is up for debate.

I would favour having a potted letter that said something like:

It's come to my attention that a campaign to [... insert details of campaign ...] is active.

I would like you to note that I back this action... yada, yada... please keep me informed about this issue... yada, yada... etc, etc.

Ie. Activists could just print it out, sign and send.

Anyone game?

Flynny's picture

Most definitely individual letters even if they are the same.

A petition gets openned once and takes up no room in the in file.
1000 letters take time and space and thus make more of an impact on the reader.

christine's picture

We had to do a huge drive a few years ago to keep the trails open in Terrey Hills for the horses and all the advice we got wat that petitions mean very little but the letters do work well - we had about four or five variations and printed them out, everyone got loads of people to sign them and send them in and off we went...

Caro's picture

Am more than happy to send a letter, anything that helps really. Let me know if you are going ahead with the ready to print version Rob.

blackbetty's picture

i'd def. send a letter. i haven't even had a chance to go check out oxford yet and they're gonna go knock it down!

Alex's picture

ya im in for a letter

Stuart M's picture

Just got this from Nicole from Manly Dam, sure others would have also received it but for those that didn't here is YOUR opportunity to be heard.

Dear all,

The Warringah Council Strategy and Policy team has asked me so send this out to everyone I have on my mailing list as some of you may be interested in becoming involved.

The information below is regarding the Warringah Council Talk of the Town Community Summit. Warringah Council is having a makeover and representatives are still needed from your age bracket (20-50) to participate in the summit. It is an opportunity to actively contribute to the way Warringah council looks and the type of activities that are prioritised in the area.

This is applicable if you live, work, conduct day to day business (i.e. have kids in Warringah schools, conduct shopping, play sports etc), run a business, club or own property in the Warringah local government area.

Talk of the Town - Warringah Community Summit

Now is the time to start thinking about the direction you and your members want your community and your Council to take in the coming years.

On Sunday 16 September 500 residents, representing a snapshot of Warringah's demographic profile, will be brought together to help shape the future of our local community and the type and levels of services delivered by Council.

This will be your chance to contribute in a very meaningful way, through discussion and individual voting via hand held keypad technology.

Everyone who wants to take part in Talk of the Town MUST register beforehand. Places are limited.

Participants can register by completing the Registration Form on Council's website:

http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au
http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/news_events/Talk...

or by calling Council on 9942-2622.

Everyone who registers will be given information prior to the Summit to help them make decisions on the day.

For further information please call the Project Team on 9942 2622.

We look forward to hearing from your organisation.

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