Old Man's Valley mountain bike trail - we need more numbers

Appreciate the update, keep us updated

I wrote to council and this is one of the replies I received back:

Thank you for your email regarding mountain bike facilities in Hornsby Shire.

As a Councillor, I am very much in favour of Hornsby Shire Council supporting mountain biking activities - in particular in the Hornsby Quarry / Old Man's Valley space.

I believe that well-planned mountain-bike facilities are a sustainable use of Hornsby's open space and reduce pressure on more sensitive bushland areas that some riders find themselves using because of the absence of mountain biking facilities.

In 2006, the previous Council spent $6,000,000 - six million dollars - on a dedicated equestrian centre that to this day remains under-used. There was also a pre-existing Council equestrian facility within the Shire.

In 2006, mountain bike riding had over three times the participation rate of horse riding and there were no formalised mountain bike facilities provided by Council.

This is one of the reasons why I ran for Council. I want to see the most 'bang for the buck' when Council spends money on community facilities.

Mountain Bike Riding is congruent with the bushland values of Hornsby Shire and is the second-highest leisure/recreation activity that residents would like to do within Hornsby Shire but do not - generally because of the absence of facilities.

With this mountain bike trail, Council can provide for the recreational needs of over three times as many residents as the previous Council's $6M equestrian facility and do it at 1/25th of the cost.

In 2009, I moved for Council to investigate the opportunities and costs for the provision of mountain bike facilities in the Shire and I have worked to maintain the momentum. This work spanned more than two years and I am thrilled to be considering the report produced by Mr Stephens' and Mr Federow's capable team.

Regarding the 'Southside loop'

I believe that there is a compromise that meets both the needs of the mountain bike community and the residents of Dural Street, Hornsby.
•The mountain bike community have consistently maintained that their activities will not result in adverse noise, visual privacy, safety or environmental impacts.

•The residents of Dural Street are concerned that Council officers, the mountain bike community, and expert consultants have potentially ‘got it wrong’ and that there will be adverse noise, visual privacy, safety or environmental impacts.

I propose the following amendment to Item 7, Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail:

“That twelve months following the opening of the Hornsby Mountain Bike Trail, Council conduct a review of the operation of the ‘Southside Loop’. The review should take into consideration issues including noise, visual privacy, safety and environmental impacts.”

With such a review, the mountain bike community can feel confident that no adverse impacts will be found, and the residents of Dural Street can feel that they are not locked into the 'southside loop' if, in fact, the experts have 'got it wrong'.

Please feel welcome to contact me with any questions and I look forward to meeting both members of the mountain bike community and residents of Dural Street at tomorrow night's meeting.

Kind Regards,

Bruce

Wish I could go but I'll be meeting with my own council at the same time.

They may have 500+ sigs to the fear petition but I would be surprised if more than 3 nimby's turn up. None the Less, ideally you need every able mountain bike rider to show their support at the council meeting for the vote.