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Show of Support Critical for Hornsby Mountain Bike Track


hawkeye's picture

By hawkeye - Posted on 13 May 2012

When: 
Wednesday, 16 May, 2012 - 18:30
Duration: 
1.5 hours
Come Rain or Shine: 
I'll be there, no matter what the weather.
Meeting Point: 

Hornsby Council Chambers
296 Pacific Highway Hornsby

296 Pacific Highway, Hornsby, NSW
Details:

Residents are again opposing key sections of the mountain bike trail in Old Man's Valley.

This is a reprise of last month's meeting that was cancelled due to the staff report not being completed in time.

Last month, some residents complained that the trail was "too close" to their backyards and complained about lack of privacy. Interestingly, a google maps search shows that many of the complainants in Dural St have "extended" their back yard areas by encroaching 10-20 metres into Council and road reserves. http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/s...

This time around, residents are raising the technical difficulty of the section near their homes as a reason for not doing it:
http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/s...

“That part of the track is not anywhere near Old Mans Valley and it’s actually in a conservation area designated by council itself. “It also runs between big rocks - there are big drops there and people are going to get injured.”

There is some uncertainty about whether the meeting is to commence at 6:30pm (as reported by the Advocate) or 7:00 as advised by Council. If you could be there by 6:30pm just in case it would be appreciated. I'm advised it should be over by 7:45pm.

Who's in?
shano, jp, Steve 01, hawkeye, Winco, cambo, Tristania, amarkie, B liner, Floydo, Kave-man (11 riders)
shano jp Steve 01 hawkeye Winco cambo Tristania amarkie B liner Floydo Kave-man
What Happened?

Were you there and have a story to tell?

Ride Gallery
Tristania's picture

I'm booked in at Uni until 6, but will make an effort to be there by 6:30pm, as I'll probably finish early.

jp's picture

It would be great to have all age groups represented.

Isildur's picture

Not a local - living in Waverton currently. But after being involved with the BMORC crew when I lived up there, and seeing the results of solid, consistent & measured campaigning, you can bet I'll be there to lend support!

I'll be the one in the Blue BMORC jersey!

Isildur's picture

Sorry guys, I'm out. Just had a major meltdown at work, as I'm gonna be here for quite a while, I imagine! I'll be lucky if I'm home before midnight! Sad :(

I'll be there in spirit, wishing you all the best of luck with it! I'm hoping to hear about the great news tomorrow!

kitttheknightrider's picture

was hoping to get up there for this but the boss didn't get home till after 7pm.

So how did it go?

hawkeye's picture

See here for more info: http://nobmob.com/node/35880

I stuck around afterwards to answer grumpy resident questions. Seemed to go well.

Isildur's picture

Awesome to hear it all went through Smiling Good luck with the next series of steps!

Hop fiend's picture

what were the questions asked? or did they just abuse you with illformed assumptions

hawkeye's picture

They were wondering about coaches and megaphones with school groups - apparently they get a lot of noise carrying across from playing fields. I managed to keep a straight face, and told them it's a bit hard for a coach to pick on and yell at his charges through a megaphone when he can't see them through the bush.

You do have to wonder where some of these fears come from. Puzzled

Second, they were arguing the rating of the contentious section was black, not blue. They showed me photos.

Based on the size of the rocks the trail filters through I can see where that idea came from, but in terms of the actual trail tread, Nick Bowman's assessment is hard to argue with.

I was cheeky and put it to them that their privacy concerns were easily resolved by installing a back fence like everyone else who backs onto a reserve, and the decision to go without was a choice they had made. Surprisingly, that line of conversaton was rather short Eye-wink

Hop fiend's picture

unless thay want to start riding their pushies through the bushland also!

kitttheknightrider's picture

thanks hawkeye, I saw the other thread.

Robbie they might be concerned because they may have fears that ambo's will use the shortest route to injured riders which may well be through their property. Solved by Hawkeye's "back fence"

hawkeye's picture

It was a "think of the children" argument ... they were saying "we're worried about kids hurting themselves"

From the photos I saw, this section looks no worse than 19th Hole so I think it's safe to say the reality was it was a "beat up" issue they were adding to their store of ammunition against the trail ... the usual NIMBY strategy when there's a lack of facts. Sticking out tongue

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