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Ku-ring-gai Unstructured Recreation Strategy - please comment!

By Rob - Posted on 27 August 2010

A heads up to all those wanting to work for better trails in the area: Ku-ring-gai council have their Unstructured Recreation Strategy out for comment. Please take a couple of minutes to have a look and comment (not here - I mean in an email to the council) with your support.

Comments on the document should quote reference number S06520 and be directed to [email protected] or post to: The General Manager, Ku-ring-gai Council, Locked Bag 1056, Pymble NSW 2073

Just a quick, "I enjoy mountain bike riding in the area and fully support and encourage the council in their plans for better facilities for mountain bike riders." is enough

Submissions close 16 September 2010

More details on the link below, but briefly:

As part of a commitment to transparent and participatory decision making, Ku-ring-gai Council is seeking comment from the community on the draft Unstructured Recreation Strategy.

The strategy was developed to meet the following aims and to:

- Address current and future unstructured recreational activities undertaken within community land, such as walking, cycling and rock climbing, particularly within the Ku-ring-gai Bushland Reserve System;
- facilitate planning by addressing key infrastructure within the council area, which is not addressed by the Open Space Strategy;
- provide clear restrictions, permissible uses and guidelines for these activities, including the responsibilities of different user groups when utilising shared or multiple use facilities;
- provide guidance to bushland management and booking processes for relevant activities.

There are already some good trails in this area and I'd encourage everyone to write in and supporting this strategy to ensure these are not removed and also to encourage council to work with local riders for more of the same

Council link here with full document, and some taster maps from said document attached.

http://www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/www/html/3922-unstruct...

Tags

Done

Submitted by Sly on Fri, 27/08/2010 - 16:20.

and done! Thanks for the heads up Rob.

Just to be sure

Submitted by nrthrnben on Sat, 28/08/2010 - 12:59.

Please see below that we "should" quote refrence number: S06520

Comments on the document must be provided as a written submission and should quote reference number S06520. Email your feedback to [email protected] or post to:

The General Manager
Ku-ring-gai Council
Locked Bag 1056
Pymble NSW 2073

Submissions close 16 September 2010. All submissions are public documents and will be considered in a final report to Council.

Enquiries: Mary-Lou Lewis 94240961.

Turning Point

Submitted by nrthrnben on Fri, 27/08/2010 - 18:35.

We really need to emphasize the need for designated IMBA downhill trails in the plan, it seems from reading it, if they get enough support they will use warrimoo and upgrade sustainably where needed.

Please everyone send an email in support of more sustainable mountain bike trails in the region, both cross country and downhill.Think of everyone!

This is a massive turning point for Sydney, lets do this right!

Done

Submitted by hawkeye on Sat, 28/08/2010 - 22:29.

Here's what I sent:

Greetings.

I’d like to voice my support for sustainable mountain bike trails to be an integral part of the unstructured recreation strategy.

New bicycle sales have outstripped new car sales for the last 7 years running. Of these, 70% are mountain bikes according to industry sources.

There is huge pent-up demand for sustainable mountain bike trails, especially the narrow low-impact type known as “singletrack”, of which there is very little less than an hour’s drive away from Sydney. Singletrack is narrow cycling trail of little more than handlebar width, and which provides the best rider experience. In contrast, fire and power line management trails are regarded as dull and uninteresting, do not draw anywhere near the same rider numbers, and result in significant damage to the environment.

The only authorised singletrack within the Sydney metro area is at Manly Dam, and demand and usage is now so high that it is no longer coping with the load. Individuals and families are driving from all over Sydney to ride it, and more is desperately needed to meet demand. Hundreds of riders use it daily each weekend, year round.

The advantages of singletrack are as follows:
• Low impact, especially if routed and built to International Mountain Bike Association sustainability standards
• Best rider experience – people will travel significant distances to ride it, drawing tourism dollars to the area. It is credited with reviving a number of communities in decline in rural UK. 7stanes is one example. Rotorua NZ is another example of mountain bike trails networks becoming a major tourist attraction.
• Improved exercise rates among the local population
• Greater appreciation for natural heritage – if it is locked away and unavailable, it will rapidly become a case of “out of sight out of mind” and its value will not be understood, and consequently I fear its loss to development.

If you were to introduce sustainable singletrack mountain bike trail loops to your area, my son and I would definitely travel to use it, spending money on sustenance at a minimum.

If you wish to discuss further I can be contacted via this email address or on nnnn nnn nnn.

Kind regards,

name and details supplied

Excellent!

Submitted by nrthrnben on Sun, 29/08/2010 - 10:08.

Good Work mate ^

Hawkeye, That is a one top quality submission!

Done

Submitted by stevebaker on Thu, 02/09/2010 - 15:48.

Thanks for the heads up. Sent a quick email to council.

Done

Submitted by Noel on Fri, 03/09/2010 - 14:52.

I sent one in too, I used some points from Hawkeyes letter as it was so good.

"Greetings.

I’d like to voice my support for sustainable mountain bike trails to be an integral part of the unstructured recreation strategy.

New bicycle sales have outstripped new car sales for the last 7 years running. Of these, 70% are mountain bikes according to industry sources.

There is huge pent-up demand for sustainable mountain bike trails, especially the narrow low-impact type known as “singletrack”, of which there is very little less than an hour’s drive away from Sydney. Singletrack is narrow cycling trail of little more than handlebar width, and which provides the best rider experience. In contrast, fire and power line management trails are regarded as dull and uninteresting, do not draw anywhere near the same rider numbers, and result in significant damage to the environment.

The only authorised singletrack within the Sydney metro area is at Manly Dam, and demand and usage is now so high that it is no longer coping with the load. Individuals and families are driving from all over Sydney to ride it, and more is desperately needed to meet demand. Hundreds of riders use it daily each weekend, year round.

The advantages of singletrack are as follows:
• Low impact, especially if routed and built to International Mountain Bike Association sustainability standards
• Best rider experience – people will travel significant distances to ride it, drawing tourism dollars to the area. It is credited with reviving a number of communities in decline in rural UK. 7stanes is one example. Rotorua NZ is another example of mountain bike trails networks becoming a major tourist attraction.
• Improved exercise rates among the local population
• Greater appreciation for natural heritage – if it is locked away and unavailable, it will rapidly become a case of “out of sight out of mind” and its value will not be understood, and consequently I fear its loss to development.

If you were to introduce sustainable singletrack mountain bike trail loops to your area, my son and I would definitely travel to use it, spending money on sustenance at a minimum.

If you wish to discuss further I can be contacted via this email address

regards

Noel
Thornleigh
0404 024 208"

Just sent this: Good

Submitted by PappaSmurf on Fri, 03/09/2010 - 16:22.

Just sent this:

Good afternoon,

I would like to communicate my support for the above strategy to take into account the large number of off road mountain bike enthusiasts that enjoy the wonderful bushland of Ku-ring-gai. Having been an avid mountain bike rider for over 20 years and enjoyed the Blue Mountains and many other locations, it would be a fantastic initiative if Ku-ring-gai were to embrace this increasingly popular sport. I have ridden many areas around Ku-ring-gai and am happy to report only positive experiences with my interaction with the mountain bike community. There is a strong appreciation for the environment from this group of people ranging across all ages. Having ridden the Warramoo downhill many times with my son, I have found the participants to be helpful and very safety conscious in their approach to the construction and operation of the track. My family and friends are avid bushwalkers and carers in the area and I have often questioned them on their interaction with mountain bikers and without exception they have found them to be polite and courteous to the walking fraternity.

The sport of mountain biking is increasing in popularity and I for one think that it gives teenagers a healthy, enjoyable experience and gets them off the games consoles that seem to dominate their time.

It would be great to see Ku-ring-gai take a leadership role in the provision of sustainable mountain bike facilities that will support the needs of the current MTB community and attract visitors from other areas to appreciate the significant geographic beauty that is Ku-ring-gai.

Original is best

Submitted by hawkeye on Wed, 08/09/2010 - 21:20.

I appreciate your compliment about my email heaps - thankyou. And well done for writing in.

Please feel free to use the points I've hit in my letter, that was the idea I had in sharing it here.

It's best if you can add a few points of your own, and use your own words - then it will be even better than mine.

If you take the trouble to do this, the extra effort is noticed. I think the equation goes: for every original letter received on a theme, there are another twenty or more who feel the same way who haven't written. Lets make the most of that thinking by using our own words.

Well done to those who've written so far. Let's keep the emails flowing. Eight days to go.

Pity...

Submitted by Lach on Fri, 03/09/2010 - 19:05.

I've sent some supportive comments in, but it's a pity I've moved from North Turramurra, because if those trails were there, it'd be fantastic.
Mind you, at my age, I may have given up riding by the time anything actually happens .....

Submissions Close This Thursday, Please Act Now!

Submitted by nrthrnben on Mon, 13/09/2010 - 17:23.

If you haven't already made a submission to this, please do so before this Thursday 16th of September

On top of the Cross Country/All mountain they are considering on council controlled land, please include the following:

If You have ridden, or plan to ever ride Warrimoo Ave DH trails, or wish to support other disciplines within the mountain bike community, please put forth your support for the legalization of these extremely well built trails and more legal sustainable DH trails in the near future in your submission.

Nows the time to act for the mountain bike community as a whole

Thanks

Keep them coming

Submitted by Rob on Mon, 13/09/2010 - 18:41.

Subject: Re: Unstructured Recreation Strategy ref. S06520

Dear sir/madam,

I write in relation to Ku-ring-gai Unstructured Recreation Strategy (your ref. S06520).

I would like to voice support for the council to provide sustainable cycling infrastructure. Specifically, for off road 'single track' trails for the recreational use by mountain bike riders and would very much appreciate if such facilities could be supplied.

New bicycle sales have outstripped new car sales for the last 7 years running. Of these, 70% are mountain bikes according to industry sources. Surely this speaks to the need for such facilities. Single track trails are the preference for mountain bike riders as they bring one closer to the bush and natural environment, are challenging and entertaining, while at the same time having a smaller footprint than fire trails or sealed tracks. In addition, many cyclists, myself included, would be keen to volunteer their labour to help build and maintain any such tracks.

Such trails can be provided in a sustainable manner if properly designed and constructed. See the International Mountain Bike Associate (IMBA) for details of such processes.

I am not actually a Ku-ring-gai resident, but not too far away in St Leonards. I often visit the bushland in the North of Sydney to cycle and any trails provided by council would surely encourage myself and other riders in the same position to visit your community. As you will be aware, such visitors to facilities have substantial economic benefit for local businesses through passing trade.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment and I look forward hearing how these plans progress.

[Name, address, email and phone provided]

Closes tomorrow

Submitted by Rob on Wed, 15/09/2010 - 16:34.

Bump!

Just a reminder - comments for this plan close tomorrow.

I know it seems like riders are being asked to write in to a lot of efforts at the moment, but that's just the way it has to be at the moment. Rider numbers are such that proper facilities need to be made available but writing in to all such plans is the only way to get this message across.

Here's My Submission

Submitted by nrthrnben on Thu, 16/09/2010 - 08:47.

Subject: Ku-ring-gai Unstructured Recreation Strategy Ref. S06520

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you so much for providing the opportunity to comment on this strategy.

I fully support the addition of legal IMBA style Mountain bike tracks within Ku-ring-gai.

We are continually frustrated by the lack of legal mountain bike facilities in Sydney, so hopefully this will be a step in the right direction.

We would like to see world class sustainable trails added into the natural terrain, this has been done with great success all over the world, some prime example's being Rotorua in New Zealand or You Yangs in Vic, Australia.

http://www.riderotorua.com/trails2.php?catid=1

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_210...

Nearly every mountain biker i know would also support the inclusion of sustainable Downhill riding opportunities in your plan.

The trails currently behind Warrimoo Oval in Warrimoo Ave are exceptional and have been taken care of by loyal riders over the years.Whilst these Downhill trails are almost perfect in sustainability, they could do with IMBA signage throughout the trail. Please consider legalizing this trail and upgrading to IMBA standards.

The mountain bike community is more than willing to put up their hand to help maintain trails to suit all disciplines with only the joy of riding them in return, we also would like to keep a close working relationship with council and other organizations to make this work, and see the Kur-ring-gai lead the way with providing a World Class Mountain Bike trail network that caters for all disciplines and styles of riding.

Thank you for your time

[details given]