Warringah Draft Recreation Strategy submission

SUBMISSION – DRAFT RECREATION STRATEGY
COPYPASTA:

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General Manager
Warringah Council
725 Pittwater Road
DEE WHY NSW 2099
via email: [email protected]

SUBMISSION – DRAFT RECREATION STRATEGY

Warringah Council is to be congratulated in taking a pro-active approach to determining future needs for recreation in the area.

I write predominantly in support of expansion of mountain biking facilities in the Warringah Local Council area, as discussed in your Draft Recreation Strategy.

I have utilised the Manly Warringah War Memorial Park mountain bike trail (‘Manly Dam’) several times, and have seen it degenerate due to external factors. The mixed use of the trail leads to its simplification, decreasing its effectiveness as a challenging mountain bike trail. Manly Dam maybe seen to be reaching saturation point as far as usage.

The fact that a park such as Mt Stromlo (http://www.stromloforestpark.com.au/) in Canberra exists, and recently hosted a World Championship, demonstrates the capability for Australian terrain to be utilised in a non-destructive fashion for enjoyment. This is no different in the Warringah area. The number of trails outside Sydney that require travel is increasing, both in popularity and number. A facility within Warringah would likely have the inverse effect on travel, bringing people to the area to use the facility. Mountain bikers on the whole are prepared to travel to trails if they know the quality is beyond the mundane fire road.

I would refer Council the IMBA (http://www.imba.com/) for information on trails and current accepted best practice.

As Council highlighted in the Strategy, expanded facilities would result in increased usage, participation, and appreciation from the local population in the first instance. Spreading the news via word-of-mouth, or advertising in conjunction with other organisations, will see others travel to Warringah to use the trail.

The addition of a legal, sustainable and managed trail would discourage illegal use of walking trails or National Parks. Whilst this is not widespread, many acknowledge there exists an element within mountain biking who flout laws and tarnish the pursuit.

The majority, and I refer to 95+%, of mountain bikers would prefer to see sustainable trails maintained in a controlled fashion. This would involve not diluting the use of the trail. If it is to be a destination for visitors from other areas, then a mixed-use trail is of no attraction.

While a perfect solution would be expansion and reconstruction of the Manly Dam trail, the mixed-use demands of this particular trail are not conducive to such a mountain bike facility. It could still offer an introduction and alternative to current roads and cycle ways for many people. Works are needed to Manly Dam to prevent further erosion from all users. When it rains, Manly Dam trail is frequently closed to mountain bikes. A properly maintained, naturally enhanced trail would not need this precaution to prevent erosion damage.

In consideration of a location, a trail that is hidden from public view or difficult to access would generally lead to motorbikes accessing the trail and damaging the works. Motorbikes accessing Manly Dam are difficult to observe due to the highly restricted nature of the trail. Motorbike access at Red Hill often erodes trails to such a degree that they become unpassable by mountain bike once dry. Stromlo Forest Park is open and flowing, still offering challenges and enjoyment without dense trees or brush.

A second facility presents Council with an opportunity to address many of the points raised in the Executive Summary:

1. Being a leader in the planning, management and facilitation of recreational assets, services and programs for the community.

2. Recognising and continuing to support high levels of participation of all ages and abilities by providing accessible infrastructure, programs and services.

· Creation of a well-known and challenging facility will increase visitors.

3. Working regionally with government and non-government organisations, creating ongoing structures, links and partnerships to increase participation.

· Advertising and word-of-mouth would increase participation.

4. Working with external organisations to improve and increase their capacity to provide appropriate and successful programs, assets and services for Warringah residents.

5. Developing and implementing administrative frameworks and policies that provide consistency and certainty for administrators and users and reflects Council’s direction.

· Working within established trail-building guidelines to create a quality facility, and create trail management capabilities within Council to ensure ongoing fair use.

8. Assessing funding priorities against evidence based strategic directions, identified need and whole of life costing.

9. Basing asset provision and development on: the principles of sharing, multi-use, fit for purpose; appropriate safety standards; full life costing and environmental, sustainable and flexible designs.

· Majority of cost of trails would be up-front construction works, with minimal ongoing costs for maintenance of a well-designed facility.

10. Considering the improvement, consolidation and / or usage of existing recreation areas and assets, before provision of new assets.

· Retention of the existing Manly Dam trail as an alternative, or introductory trail for residents and visitors.

11. Balancing planning and management efforts to reflect current and future demand for sport
and recreational activities.

· Working within established trail-building guidelines to create a sustainable facility.

12. Regularly evaluating and monitoring Council’s performance (assessed against recognised and relevant benchmarks and levels of customer satisfaction) through the collection of relevant data.

· Satisfaction and use surveys could be carried out via local users group (NoBMoB).

13. Adopting a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to recreation planning and development.

· Working within established trail-building guidelines to create a sustainable facility.

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Yours faithfully

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Suggested websites:

International Mountain Biking Association – http://www.imba.com/
Trail advocacy, construction and management

Stromlo Forest Park - http://www.stromloforestpark.com.au/
World Championship facility 2009

Northern Beaches MTB (NoBMoB) – http://nobmob.com
A large presence of local users

Bicycles Network Australia – http://www.bicycles.net.au/
Maintains forums covering usage from road cycling, triathlon and mountain biking, including state-based sub-forums

Ground Effect Clothing, NZ - http://groundeffect.com.au/
Ground Effect Clothing maintain a strong advocacy for fair trail use and sustainability, evident in their newsletters

END COPYPASTA