Warringah Council - Adoption of the Recreation Strategy

Determine Council’s role and involvement in the provision of off-road cycling opportunities through the completion of research and consultative activities. Such activities will aim to address ongoing and future provision and management of off-road facilities and issues within Warringah, including resource implications and environmental impact.
Relevant actions to include:

Research current trends and participation rates in off-road riding regionally, nationally and where relevant internationally.

Analysis of local off-road cycling participation and site usage including identification of unauthorised mountain bike tracks and other cycling facilities across the various land tenures.

Assessment of the impact of off-road cycling on the natural environment and the development of appropriate measures to reduce impact.

Consultation with relevant stakeholders, land owners and the community. This would include ongoing liaison with National Parks NSW and their approaches to managing mountain biking.

Assessment of Manly Dam trail condition, safety issues, track suitability, bicycle and other usage and the carrying capacity of the site in relation to environmental and resource constraints.

Based on the above research and consultation, development of options for the provision of off-road cycling opportunities in Warringah. This is to include considering various off-road cycling styles and level of difficulties as well as considering relevant strategic planning documents such as the Regional Multiuse Trails Strategy, Metropolitan Regional Strategy and Warringah Bike Plan. The resources required for the development and ongoing maintenance of each option should also be included.

Development of trail facility management options. This is to include the consideration of the involvement of volunteers in developing and maintaining trails.

Given the first 5 points have been done (several times) in the past, this looks to me like another "stalling" proposal

I also note that the draft strategy proposal...

Undertake a mountain bike and off road cycling research paper in an attempt to address the increased use of natural areas for cycling and to investigate the provision of at least one other permissible riding area in Warringah.

...has disappeared, or should I say, been greatly modified/diluted

I think they're a bit more serious than the above indicates on its own. Provision of an additional mtb trail is third on their list:

Consider the provision of new recreational assets which address identified recreational gaps, including (priority order):
i) Indoor sport courts and multi-purpose indoor community space which incorporates space usable for various groups and activities.
ii) Walking tracks, cycleways and multi-purpose trails.
iii) Mountain bike trail.
iv) Outdoor all weather sports fields (artificial turf).
v) Skate facilities and other youth orientated facilities (specifically in Beaches and Western Catchment areas).

An investigation and business case must be undertaken prior to support for any major development. This should include:
 Funding options including the rationalisation of current facilities and potential partnerships and grants to fund whole-of-life of the
asset (e.g. construction, maintenance and decommissioning).
 Community consultation.
 Reflection of principles and strategic directions as outlined in this strategy and the way in which such a development will benefit the community and complement current provision.
 Ancillary facilities and opportunities in the surrounding areas (i.e. links with open space, parking etc).
 Location and feasibility studies, including options for co-locating or developing additional facilities at current sites (i.e. indoor facilities incorporated at the WAC or community centres).

And Action Item 6:

Determine Council’s role and involvement in the provision of off-road cycling opportunities through the completion of research and consultative activities. Such activities will aim to address ongoing and future provision and management of off-road facilities and issues within Warringah, including resource implications and environmental impact.
Relevant actions to include:
 Research current trends and participation rates in off-road riding regionally, nationally and where relevant internationally.
 Analysis of local off-road cycling participation and site usage including identification of unauthorised mountain bike tracks and other cycling facilities across the various land tenures.
 Assessment of the impact of off-road cycling on the natural environment and the development of appropriate measures to reduce impact.
 Consultation with relevant stakeholders, land owners and the community. This would include ongoing liaison with National Parks NSW and their approaches to managing mountain biking.
 Assessment of Manly Dam trail condition, safety issues, track suitability, bicycle and other usage and the carrying capacity of the site in relation to environmental and resource constraints.
 Based on the above research and consultation, development of options for the provision of off-road cycling opportunities in Warringah. This is to include considering various off-road cycling styles and level of difficulties as well as considering relevant strategic planning documents such as the Regional Multiuse Trails Strategy, Metropolitan Regional Strategy and Warringah Bike Plan. The resources required for the development and ongoing maintenance of each option should also be included.
 Development of trail facility management options. This is to include the consideration of the involvement of volunteers in developing and maintaining trails.