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The Right Result
Just a quick update on the results from tonight's Council meeting at Hornsby.
The Old Man's Valley trail complex was approved with all the key sections intact ... unanimously. Congrats to Sydney North Off-Road Cyclists and Trail Care's Dr Simon Kean for their outstanding work with Council to make this happen.
SNORC's Campbell King passes on his thanks to the nobmobbers who turned up tonight to show their support. There was a clear difference to the supporting applause for each of the speakers. Those in support of the trail received substantially more than those opposed to the key southern section that was at issue tonight.
There were some minor amendments adding post-implementation reviews at 6 and 12 months that were pretty reasonable and some tightening of the definition of hours of operation, but the proposal was otherwise approved in its entirety.
So now the big question is ... when does it start? I believe that is as soon as possible, depending on the winning contractor's availability.
So now SNORC's focus will change to the next level in the game ... ensuring the whole thing gets built within budget. That, my friends, opens a whole new can of worms 
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Well Done, great to hear!
Actually, while I think if it, it would be a good idea to write Councillors and thank them for approving the trail.
Like us, they're human, and getting beat over the head all the time with no thanks being offered gets more than a bit irritating. Appreciation for good decisions and actions is something we all like to receive when earned.
I'm out of time tonight, but will be attending to this tomorrow. Would be great if a few of us could do the same.
Cheers!
That's great news, well done to all involved.
Great work guys. Good to see the hard work paying off. Are more campaigns against the track anticipated and will council acknowledge them at all if they do happen?
to Hornsby council & those who have done the hard yards to get the right result.
Yes indeed it was a great night with a great outcome for the mountain biking community, the community of Hornsby and Greater Sydney. It was a long session with many speakers addressing a chamber positively overflowing with the public. The local objectors we outnumbered considerably by the support for the MTB trail to go ahead and it showed with the quality of speakers and the level of applause received after each one spoke. (I am slightly biased here as my partner, Sue, also spoke and very too). It was very uplifting to support and witness on the night a win for the MTB community, given the recent disappointments of Parramatta and Menai (Lucas Heights) to name a few.
Congratulations to Campbell, Craig, Noel and all the other good people involved from SNORC and HSMBA for their perseverance over the last 3+ years to get a result like this. Also a big thanks to the council and locals who supported this initiative.
I truly believe and hope this can now potentially set a precedent for the rest of Greater Sydney to follow Hornsby's lead (Garigal NP?, Parramatta?) and I look forward to volunteering for trail work and riding the eventual trail at Old Mans Valley in the not too distant future.
I too will sent a note to all councillors today with my appreciation.
Winco.
Great support last night by the mountain bike community. But these trails will only be built and maintained by volunteers.
So we need to see the same support out there on the building and maintenance days. Congrats to all the speakers as well. Lets support SNORC and HSMBA and show the councils and other councils in the area what can be achieved by the mountain bike community.
When do we start.
Nice one guys!! Well done.... now hurry and build it, I want somewhere to stop off when I go up the coast.
Excellent to hear guys!
Would you have the councillors email addresses. I would like to follow up and thank them.
Congratulations boys, we have alot to thank you for.
PS: maybe a link might be a good idea.
Ben
where to direct a quick thanks to the council?
If you wish to email your appreciation and thanks:
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I loved the way there was so much more applause for the cyclists than there was the opposers. And we had the most unlikely supporters - A middle aged lade, as well as two green's activists, both appealing for this to go ahead which is a great advance.
Common sense has prevailed....for now!
I guess I would like to get a copy of the council minutes just for peace of mind! anyone?
I'm the middle aged lade (sic) who spoke last night and it was a joy to stand up in support of this great project. See you out there on volunteer days with gloves on
)
Re the record of meeting - all is recorded and is on audio via the council website within a few days of meetings, including the agreed amendments which the mayor read out word-for-word. Can't wait to replay what I said as I was so nervous I can't remember how it came out. In the end it wasn't necessary except for fairness of public policy - the councillors had clearly thrown their support behind this and with a few amendments it was a no- brainer. Winco (my partner) and I would like to see some earlier (and later) opening times further down the track as we're locked into corporate hours during the week and so will be restricted to the weekends otherwise...but that is for the future once the residents realise we dont make any noise.
Great outcome well done everyone.
Congrats to you guys a top effort and the results.
Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Well done.
Evan
Nice. Well done. Another win for the good guys.