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Garigal National Park is about to get an official mountain bike track!
For those that don't know, there was a meeting near Bantry Bay this morning between the Environment Minister, Treasurer, NSW NPWS Director and other such folk... oh - and a couple of local MTB riders 
An announcement coming from the press (I'm yet to see the official NPWS press release, but trust the Daily on this one) is that, "Garigal National Park is about to get an official mountain bike track."
Massive thanks to all of you who believed and supported this for so long. No doubt there will be more news on this and other developments coming, so keep an eye out.
The Manly Daily story is here:
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/...
Update: There was a second story in the Daily that quote's Mike Baird as saying and announcement was expected in the “next few weeks.". Excellent news!
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Wow.. that is so nice to hear!
... and a 10K trail! Linked to Manly Dam that'll make a nice 20K loop... and being riding distance from home very happy indeed!
Pity about the lame pun in the headline on the Manly Daily article
But great news, and thanks to all the NPWS staff who've invested so much worked on this project, as well as the good faith showed by the previous and current government, and especially Mike Baird.
To everyone that made the possible from direction to govt and everyone that helped along the way, legends!
details, plans, info, style of single trail, builders?
Ps,everyone please post something positive on the manly daily site linked by Rob
I can't wait, I'll be at the head of the queue
Thanks to all that have made this happen.
Well done and thanks to all those involved.
Does that mean the old bantry bay track will be open or another track in the same area?
Sounds like something like this will happen
full kudos to all those who have worked so tirelessly to achieve this!
Thanks to all those who worked hard lobbying for this after the trails were closed. And thanks to the riders who did the right thing who stayed out and didn't cut in any new tracks or jump or damage fences to gain access. It show what mountain bikers can get access to trails by following the proper channels and showing a heap of patience.
How things have changed, I was up in the Blue Mountains over the weekend and dropped into one of the NPWS stations to get a local topo map. When the lady there realised I was looking for it to ride, her demeanour changed and she became extremely excited telling me how things were changing in the NPWS and soon we would be able to ride much more of the park, before apologising that for the time being choices were a little limited...
To all on both sides who have been working for so long on access it looks like the tide is slowly starting to change - so thanks for all your hard work.
Congratulations
And thank you to all walks of life and demographics that have helped achieve this result.
Many riders were hugely dissapointed when they originally shut the short however fun and technical tracks in Bantry Bay, then the short however frustrating closure of the Dam. A lot of positive activity happening at the moment which is great.
Looking forward to the articles fruition.
B
Hope they don't sanitize the proposed track too much like Manly Dam!
This has been a huge combined 3 year effort by a number of people in this region and across the state.
Everyones thanks is very much appreciated, there have been many days off work and time given up during weeknights and weekends meeting green groups, stakeholders, government and writing documents.
Some further background is here:
http://nobmob.com/node/29848
http://nobmob.com/node/10285
http://nobmob.com/node/9398
From all this volunteer time and networking a Trail Care group has formed that is advocacy and trail focused. This group will be open for all to participate. In addition to efforts with State Government and National Parks we have been putting time into Manly Dam to improve things for everyone and also demonstrate the benefits of engaging the riding community.
http://nobmob.com/node/22408
http://nobmob.com/node/22502
We also provided rider feedback and input to improve the outcome relating to some earlier contractor works.
http://nobmob.com/node/22021
We are currently putting background work into possibilities at Oxford Falls and Red Hill. We are soon going to need everyones support and help.
to all concerned.
Congratulations on your work to date and to everyone else who was involved.
I know I have missed many people who have contributed to this cause. Rob could you assist and name them, so as we can personally thank them.
Many thanks and happy trails ahead.
Great work
... he plays the 'good cop' quite well
Nah, but while there are a few people who seem to be the 'face' of this sort of campaign (unwilling face in most cases) everyone who wrote in to a polly, or submitted comment on papers, or showed up at meetings, or had other involvement in NPWS stuff over the last few years should be patting themselves on the back too.
This kind of thing shows what can be done when people give it a go. I'm sure there is still a way to go though, so don't stop campaigning just yet!
This is great news! Well done all who have worked so hard (and a big thank you to Mike Baird).
Does anyone know if Glen Jacob's company is going to be involved in the trail design and construction. I have ridden Stromlo many times (and love it) but have just come back from riding the brand new Mt Joyce recreation park in Qld (one hour west of gold coast). The trails (more than 40kms of them) there were designed by Glen Jacob's and they are by far the best I have ever ridden. Super exciting, fast, flowing riding. Not a single thing about them could have been done better. Would be fantastic if similar results were achieved here.
The article says Garrigal national park right? so why did they meet at Bantry Bay? or is Bantry Bay part of Garrigal national park?
While a few of us have been 'the face' it is the follow up support and endorsement of our work that has given it the legitimacy it needed with government.
Without it we would just be a few noisy individuals.
So thanks to all for backing us up and providing feedback.
A reasonable summary of 'the face' is here http://nobmob.com/node/11171.
There is still a lot more to come, however we now seem to have the critical momentum and things are happening.
Our strategy was always to focus on NPWS initially as they are generally the role models for other land managers. The NPWS guys have also been doing a great job liaising with Councils behind the scenes, we are starting to see these results too and getting coordination of facilities.
Yep, Bantry Bay is part of this park.
http://www.mikebaird.com.au/interactive/manly_ne...
Comment sent - thanks again to all involved.
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/your-news/s...
First letter down. Fair argument?
Manly Daily Letters-
" the common misconception of the public who are typically misinformed seems to be that trail bikes are a nuisance, however they are generally no more of a pest (environmentally) than anyone else on two wheels other than the obvious noise they produce."
This guy is on drugs. You can see the blatant damage these things cause at any given spot up at Red Hill. Ive seen motos ripping up single track with roost belting out 50' behind! Is this honestly what they think?
In the print version where the Manly Daily has pictured a mountain bike instead of a motor bike.
WINNING!
Thank you to everyone who made this happen
The best news I heard all week!
Fantastic job to all concerned. That's going to be a great loop.
http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?1...
http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?1...
So it seems NPWS have shown the suggested routes identified through preliminary investigations in to suitable sites for a mountain bike trial in the northern Sydney region on the 16/08/2011, but they will now go back and finalize it, and maybe release it in October and the same time as the promotional events?
But it says above that both documents where actually published on the 16/08/2011?
So will the strategy be open for comment when it eventually gets released to the public or will it be set in stone?
If it is going to be set in stone, those that are in talks with the NPWS, can we make sure the overall policy is suitable before its official release?
Yes, i know, we could just wait and see how it pans out, but we must do all we can to get this right.
When I met with the minister it was my understanding from talking with NPWS that it was still going through internal review.
The dates in the email above from July were indicative dates so I wouldn't be worried we haven't seen it yet.
I will be meeting with them this week and see if there are any updates.
Internal Review, interesting.
Thanks for keeping us posted.
Hi guys,
are there any updates on these proposed tracks?
Interested to see any news ??
Hi all,
NPWS formed the Northern Region Mountain Bike Stakeholder Advisory Committee which we are on.
So far we have had a meet and greet meeting and a walk through of Stringy Bark Ridge. The Bantry Bay site visit got postponed with all the rain but will go ahead after Easter.
I will provide feedback here after. I'm on the committee representing IMBA. TrailCare also has a seat to provide feedback to NobMob, clubs and general community. The committee members include NPWS staff, Councils, TAFE/Dep of Education, other recreational groups and green groups.
So far there has been nothing to report for Bantry Bay other than consultants have been doing detailed environmental, cultural heritage and trail routing studies. Will report back on findings once we get to walk through the site.