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Opportunity Knocks!
I think you guys have already provided me with contact info but.....I work at Fairfield Council so I have links into what is happening in the new Western Sydney Parklands; where the old Olympic MTB track used to be. The old mountain bike track is gone now as Council was made responsible for maintaining it after the Olympics and could not get 'user pays' to work. I do know that the Western Parkland is now under a 'Trust Board'and after speaking with the current Manager of the Trust (a bureaucrat also!) he is keen to recieve contact/lobbying/ideas from any potential user (e.g MTB clubs/advocacy groups). I mentioned that an advocacy MTB group maybe interested in resurrecting the old Olympic track or maybe something like Mt Stromlo so he has gone off to do some research on them.
So..do people think the Western Parklands is a potential location for a specific MTB track like Mt Stromlo or what else?...and are the contacts already mentioned the ones I should refer this to?...or is there someone who has been in this sport for alot longer than me who will take over this idea and coordinate the approach to the Parklands Trust Board?
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tony, I know Steve Humpheries worked hard for several years to get the Olympic Park track reopenned as a club track for Western Sydney. The sticking block was always Council wanted control of the maintenance which meant full time job and the need to pay a wage. This was never going to work as people were not willing to pay to ride a)a track covered in horse poo and b)something that had the best bit off limits to the public unless you had a race license. Especially when there were other free options around.
I know WS are currently focused on Yellowmundi and Blue Gum lodge but if the potential is there they could be intereted
As for Stromlo like? I'm not sure there is the elevation potential for DH which is one of the main money spinners at Stromlo out side the 24hr
Ok...fully understand Council's user pays approach was destined to fail for the reasons you outlined but Council is now out of the picture and it is under State Gov management with a massive committment to Western Parkland as you would have noticed in the media over the last couple of years....so I will try and contact Steve Humphries at WSMTB and see if he wants to have another go...thx for the lead!
Anyone know what happened here?