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Draft Lake Parramatta Reserve Plan of Management Update
I refer to previous correspondence in relation to your submission during the recent public exhibition of the draft Lake Parramatta Reserve Plan of Management (POM).
Council endorsed the amended draft POM at their ordinary meeting on 12 December 2011 to guide the future management and development of the reserve. In recognising the demand for mountain biking opportunities, the amended POM allows for non-motorised bike access on the existing eastern fire trail to provide links into larger adjoining bushland reserves whilst minimising disturbance to endangered species and ecological communities within the reserve.
A significant number of submissions were received during the public exhibition period advocating for dedicated mountain bike trails in the reserve. These were reviewed and considered in conjunction with the overall assessment of all submissions. However Council considers that cycling and mountain bike use of trails within this bushland reserve should be restricted as outlined above in view of:
· the small size, nature, location and topography of the reserve (it was declared a Fauna Sanctuary in 1960 and a recent fauna survey identified 200 native flora species and 75 native fauna species);
· Consistency with the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) Sustainable Mountain Biking Strategy which states that ‘mountain-biking single-track will continue to be prohibited in nature reserve and wilderness areas as it is inconsistent with the management principles of these areas’;
· it is acknowledged that such facilities are available to cyclists within a reasonable distance to other Sydney suburbs such as Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai Councils. These sites have been established in former quarries or land fill areas, are not within high quality remnant bushland areas with threatened native species or contain Aboriginal heritage sites, as is the case for Lake Parramatta Reserve.
To minimise cost and environmental impacts, the provision of additional formalised carparking has been reconfigured to the existing grassed overflow parking area at the corner of Bourke and Lackey Streets whilst allowing for additional bus parking close to amenities within the reserve. The draft POM also incorporates a number of minor amendments recommended from submissions received during the exhibition period.
Council also resolved that an additional ‘Environmental Protection’ purpose be assigned under the Crown Lands Act 1989 to reflect the natural and cultural heritage significance of the reserve. The draft POM will now be submitted to the Minister for Primary Industries recommending it be adopted under the Crown Lands Act 1989.
Once the POM has been adopted, copies will be available at Council libraries and on the Parramatta City Council website at http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/your_council/new.... On behalf of Council I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your interest and valuable input during the development of the POM.
Yours sincerely
Neville Davis
Acting Manager City Assets & Environment
Visit http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au
[Mod. moved to Sydney (West)]
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1.The council asked for submissions on who wants to use the land
2. We submitted
3. Lots of mountain bikers requested use of the land
4. Council gives rubbish excuses to ignore mtb submissions and offers boring old firetrail which is already able to be ridden just about anywhere in the planet.
Other facilities exist? Are they serious? Last time i checked there wasn't any Mountain Bike facilities in those suburbs that people would fight through traffic for.
And they say they are following National parks lead, even though NPWS are doing the opposite?
Neville
Councils decision is very disappointing as is the contentious claim that this decision is consistent with OEH's overall Strategy by relating this bushland to wilderness areas.
Councils decision will put further environmental pressure on other areas and also other council budgets. It is disappointing that this Council is not pulling its weight and doing its part under OEH's Strategy.
Note the justification provided by Council has a number of statements that are incorrect or do not provide sufficient weight.
1/3 of Hornsby's new track is not on ex quarry land is on relatively untouched land. That is the purpose of the REF to identify if any impact will be significant.
Furthermore please note that the two proposed pilot trail areas by NPWS do include sensitive areas including aboriginal heritage sites, again this is the purpose of the REF. I am currently reviewing the draft REF for both of these sites prior to public release.
The claim that this area has a number of native species is obviously correct. One would hope that this is the case in an area of native bush. However a detailed assessment should be made for public review to see if any trails would present a significant environmental impact and whether any impact could be mitigated or sustainability net benefits realised which would be consistent with OEH's Strategy.
Please also note that no equivalent riding area exists at Ku-ring-gai and that Hornsby is sufficient to meet local demand.
Please call me if you wish to discuss this.
Regards