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Bare Creek Bike Park

By phantom - Posted on 21 May 2014

You may be aware of the proposal to build a multi-use MTB park at Belrose. With the landfill at the tip closing in November 2014 it is now time to gain momentum for this project. Bare Creek Bike Park would combine XC, DH, AM, Flow, Jump, Pump and CX as well as areas for skills and junior riders
Please see the attached proposal developed by Seuter Planners with the help of IMBA Australia; http://www.wamc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_fil...
Can you help by emailing the local councillors and expressing your views. The next council meeting is 27th May, so these emails need to find their target before this date. You are also encouraged to attend this meeting to show support.
Below are the councillor’s email addresses; [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

A bit of history in regards to the Belrose Tip (Bare Creek Bike Park)
Manly Warringah Mountain Bike Club/Trail Care were invited onto the Community Advisory Committee at the Belrose Waste and Recycling Centre in mid 2009 by then Councillor Harris from Belrose Rural Community. The idea being for future use proposal for the site once the landfill operations are completed in November 2014.
To fund this concept the landfill established an enhancement fund from levies on tonnage brought to the site. This fund is to be used after closure and will be in the vicinity of $3.4M.
In 2009 WSN Environmental Solutions set to develop a Draft Future Use Concept Plan which was released in February 2010. Submissions to the plan were sought for the 3 options presented. Option 3 (mountain biking) represented 46% of the preferred option and won comfortably.
Warringah Council, at a meeting voted in favour to support the MTB option in principle, but their current stand is that they have insufficient funds to take on the management role of the site. The DA to be changed from SP2 to recreation has been passed through WC. The state member for Davidson (Jonathon O’Dea) has given his full support as well as local Councillor Jose Menano-Pires and the previous Finance Minister Greg Pierce.
The state government sold off the transfer station to French Company, SITA in 2011 and the landfill site went to another state government run company, Waste Assets Management Corporation.
October 2012 cyclists and community groups (which many of you attended) conducted workshops with WAMC, Seuter Planners and IMBA Australia. The workshops were used to discuss the proposed facility, opportunities and constraints, and help shape outcomes.
With this information and help from Trail Care, Seuter Planners have produced the “Bare Creek Bike Park Plan”.
If this plan comes to reality it will be the only venue of its kind in NSW. Demand will be high and it should reduce the impact on illegal trails within Manly/Warringah. At present Manly Dam is the only legal riding facility for MTB’ing in the LGA.

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Northern Beaches Trail Advocacy

No comments?

Submitted by jedijunglesnow on Thu, 22/05/2014 - 08:57.

Odd that no one has commented on this, I thought it would've pretty big news (actually, it is pretty big news!).

Maybe this should be on the home page under the trail advocacy header?

I've sent an email to the

Submitted by Pete B on Thu, 22/05/2014 - 09:22.

I've sent an email to the councillors and hope that others do too. It's also coming up through a various groups on my FB feed so hopefully plenty of emails are sent.

This could be a great addition to our current trails and a lot more accessible. Let's make it happen people!

This would be awesome

Submitted by gusgusset on Thu, 22/05/2014 - 14:46.

I have emailed the council and put my support behind this

Submitted by chrischris on Thu, 22/05/2014 - 20:02.

+1.

Emails sent. Huge news!

Emailed yep

Submitted by dtm on Thu, 22/05/2014 - 20:21.

sent email cheers

Warringah council?

Submitted by Rob on Thu, 22/05/2014 - 20:50.

Why is there nothing on the council website about this?

I'd hate to think the period of public comment is not yet open and we're bombarding councillors with email prematurely.

Council Meeting

Submitted by phantom on Thu, 22/05/2014 - 21:41.

Item 8.2 @ Tuesday's council meeting

Check the council meeting agenda

Submitted by Watto on Thu, 22/05/2014 - 21:52.

There is a report going to council on 27 may. Check the agenda - item 8.2

www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/your-council/meetings/c...
Agenda here:
http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/fi...

Also see attachment book 2

http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/fi...

I have received a personal

Submitted by chrischris on Sat, 24/05/2014 - 11:55.

I have received a personal 'thanks' email from almost all the council staff I emailed.

They have stated to me that they will take into consideration my wishes when the meeting is held.

Email Sent

Submitted by sippffo on Sat, 24/05/2014 - 17:09.

+1 email sent, cheers

Submitted by LadyToast on Sun, 25/05/2014 - 14:09.

Mail Sent

Council staff not in favour

Submitted by hawkeye on Sun, 25/05/2014 - 15:46.

I think we need to get our arses down there and show support for the progression of Bare Creek.

This letter is much too long

Submitted by hawkeye on Sun, 25/05/2014 - 16:00.

But I sent it anyway.

Feel free to lift the *ideas* (it is CRITICAL to use your own words) as the basis for letters of your own.

Keep it short and punchy. Needs to go no later than Monday night.

Greetings Mr Mayor and Esteemed Councillors,

It is my understanding that the proposal for the Bare Creek Bike Park prepared by Waste Assets Management Corporation, Suters Planners, and IMBA comes up for consideration at the meeting of 27 May.

I’d like to express my full support for the BCBP and draw your attention to the following matters in your considerations.

Regional Significance
Warringah desperately needs a Landmark Trail Facility of regional importance such as this.

The success of the Old Man’s Valley mountain bike park, near Hornsby, which is nearing completion of phase two, demonstrates what can happen when subject matter experts (local bike riders) are properly engaged. This facility is an outstanding success, and Warringah is suffering for the lack of something similar.

Tourism
A major plus for the Bare Creek facility is that it exists right in the middle of the unofficial backbone of trails extending from Narrabeen to Hornsby, and it is likely to become a tourist destination of state significance, if done to the same standard as Old Man’s Valley. A number of bicycle event promoters use venues such as these, drawing up to several thousand competitors and supporters to benefit local communities several times a year. We have one of the largest populations of mountain bike riders in the country and have nothing locally comparable. We all have to travel (and spend money I might add) outside of the area to attend, in some cases many hours.

Cycling tourists tend to stay overnight and typically spend 6 to 8 times more than day travellers. We need that money for local businesses and jobs for our kids.

Please see links below for case studies. A 2 minute google search turned these up. There will be many more.

Pent-up demand
Mountain biking is a diverse activity. Unfortunately the gravity disciplines are poorly catered for in Warringah and Pittwater, with many unauthorised trails popping up to fill the pent-up demand. This is unsustainable, and Bare Creek is one of the few sites where gravity trails are a good fit.

Despite favourable undertakings to progress mountain biking being made by council well before the last election, we are now several years down the track and still there is no sanctioned cross-country singletrack apart from Manly Dam. Bantry Bay is starting, but it is just a few kilometres of trail when many riders seek to put together 30-60km loops.

The delays and inaction do not reflect well on Council.

Schools
A number of local schools are very keen on the facility as a sporting option for their students. Some of the local private schools such as Covenant Christian already have mountain bike equipment but are limited to riding less interesting local dirt roads. The prospect of local authorised singletrack trails is enthusiastically supported.

Funding and budget
$3.5m - a significant amount of funds - have been made available for this facility.

I am quite concerned about the exaggerated estimates that have been provided around annual maintenance. I see from the staff report these are being used as justification for inaction with this opportunity.

These estimates appear to take little account of the use of volunteer programs that have been so successful at places like Old Man’s Valley, Ourimbah, and Awaba mountain bike parks, Glenrock in Newcastle, Yellowmundee at the foot of the Blue Mountains, and the recently opened trail network at Kiwarrak State Forest near Taree that was built and is maintained entirely by local volunteers.

Feedback from local riders (many of whom hold senior management positions in public and private enterprise, and professional qualifications in accounting, finance, sustainability, environmental sciences and law) concerning the overly conservative nature of these estimates has been disregarded.

Equity
Usage rates for trails in terms of numbers of users per hour compare more than favourably with established cricket and football playing fields for which Council expends significant ratepayer funds. Trail maintenance expenditure will be significantly lower. Manly Dam and Old Man’s Valley attract riders from all over Sydney. We need more such facilities.

Unlike mountain bike trails, sporting field users do little towards volunteer maintenance of these fields. The position adopted by staff that ratepayer funds should not be used to support the operation of an unstructured recreation facility such Bare Creek is, simply, inequitable.

Timeliness
Further dithering by Council will jeopardise the opportunity to move fill and trail building materials while equipment is still on site, adding significant unnecessary cost to the project.

I request that you direct Council staff to treat this project favourably, and with the appropriate urgency.

Regards,

Name
Professional qualification
Address

Links concerning tourism spend by cycling tourists:

Bikes bring more money than wood from Rotorua Forest
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article....
Where there’s a wheel there’s a way for tourism in South Australia
http://m.couriermail.com.au/news/national/where-...
Economic benefits of mountain bike tourism
https://www.imba.com/world-summit/resources/econ...
Tourism benefits of mountain biking in the Fraser Valley
The slide show in particular is interesting. Note the mention of a dying town of 3,000 benefitting from the influx of $US1m over two weekends, and of the creation of 50 jobs.
http://www.fvmba.com/tourism-benefits-of-mountai...

Sent

Submitted by Black Flash on Sun, 25/05/2014 - 18:28.

Come on you lot, a few words of support is all it takes.
We are running out of time!!!

Sent

Submitted by sikllama on Sun, 25/05/2014 - 19:11.

Done!

Dear Mr Mayor and Councillors,

I'm writing to you to convey my full support for the proposed Bare Creek Bike Park.

The proposal will have numerous community benefits including:

* An area for people of many different demographics to participate in an active healthy lifestyle.
* The mountain bike community in Northern sydney are currently bereft of ample custom built trails in which to ride.
* The proposed location allows mountain bikers to link trails from manly dam, garigal NP and beyond to Old Mans Valley (OMV) etc
* The recent development of OMV has shown what can be achieved with consultations with local experts. That area brings in people from all over sydney, Wollongong and the central coast. If bare creek is developed in the same vein, local businesses would benefit financially with increased patronage etc
* I understand local schools also support the proposal and are ready with equipment to incorporate mountain biking into their curriculum.

Mountain biking attracts a wide range of demographic with people from 5 to 75 participating in this great activity with numerous physical and metal health benefits. I implore council to take action in approving the bare creek proposal and review the forecast opex as the biking community believe these figures have been over estimated.

Sent my 2c

Submitted by ChopStiR on Sun, 25/05/2014 - 21:43.

Dear Warringah Councillors,

I am not a local, I live at Penrith in the Western Suburbs. The Bare Creek bike plan that is coming up for consideration at the next meeting is something special and should be supported. Last year I travelled to Hornsby several times to ride the very short but exceptional trail known as Old Mans Valley(OMV). A trail like that is very rare and worth the travel to ride. When ever I meet someone new to Mountain Biking on the trails in the Western Suburbs and Blue Mountains I certainly add OMV to their must do list. Most of the riders I see regularly at my local spots have been to OMV more than once. We have even done group rides where we come as a group and ride it together.

After the ride we would often grab a bite to eat at one of the local shops. On one trip I had my tyre blow out and had to visit the local bike shop to purchase a new tyre so I could keep riding the trail at OMV.

Bare Creek bike plan is offering so much more than what OMV has to offer. Bare Creek could have people from all over Sydney coming to ride the trails and spend money at the local shops. Warringah needs Bare Creek Bike Park.

Did you know that the closest Mountain Bike racing tracks to Warringah is in Western Sydney and Ourimbah? Many of the Warringah residents who race are members of the Western Sydney Mountain Bike Club(WSMTB) and once a month travel to Western Sydney to race.

Western Sydneys race track is located in Yellomundee Regional Park and managed by National Parks. Track maintenance is organised by WSMTB and undertaken by volunteers. A good relationship between National Parks and WSMTB has allowed for maintenance to be accomplished without the need of a National Parks ranger to be present. The end result is a near nil cost to National Parks to keep the trail maintained.

Bare Creek Bike park can be a massive asset to Warringah and its Neighbours and can continue to perform with minimal ongoing cost.

Thank you for your time,

Email Sent

Submitted by Narralakes on Sun, 25/05/2014 - 21:56.

This is huge! Support please!!!!!

Too big for complacency

Submitted by Eyeball on Mon, 26/05/2014 - 10:51.

Put my two bob in and had friends do likewise. I have received some responses from councillors.
This will be massive for MTBers in Sydney. Don't just leave it up to some one else and hope.

Submitted by sly_artichoke on Mon, 26/05/2014 - 11:05.

Another email sent in support. I think the message will come through in our eloquent support for this proposal. Got to fight to the end folks!

Social Media Networks

Submitted by Dicko on Mon, 26/05/2014 - 11:31.

All

Use your social media networks to generate support in this cause. We need to spread the word to gain support and visibility on this issue quickly.

Maybe some of the councillors also have twitter accounts - if we are aware of these let us know so that we can share / RT etc.

Email Sent!

Submitted by Isildur on Mon, 26/05/2014 - 12:52.

Somehow I didn't notice this come up in the last week!

Email has been sent and I'll be trying to arrange my work to be at the council meeting tomorrow evening.

Email Sent

Submitted by andyfev on Mon, 26/05/2014 - 12:52.

Dear Warringah Councillors,

Please acknowledge my full support for the development of the Bare Creek Bike Plan at Belrose. I am a local resident to Belrose, a Medical Professional and also an avid Mountain Biker. I regularly choose to ride at locations throughout Sydney such as Hornsby’s Old Man’s Valley, Mt. Annan’s Botanical Gardens Mountain Bike Park, Ourimbah and Awaba Mountain Bike Parks. I also travel further away for special events such as in Canberra, Tathra, and Bundanoon to name a few. I am typical of the mountain bike community in that I recognise the need for sustainable trails that can be maintained by volunteers of which there are a cast of thousands throughout Sydney.

I also recognise the enormous importance of giving young people of Warringah and further afield a dedicated and maintained facility where they can exert their energy. This in turn gives young people and others a place to go and belong. This kind of facility would be of enormous benefit to such people, families and others whom will bring their $$ to the Warringah community through spending in local businesses such as bike shops, cafes, petrol, groceries etc.

Please do not oppose this development as in doing will be a disservice to the Warringah residents and Sydney as a whole. Please look to Hornsby Council for inspiration and proven success with the recently created Old Man’s Valley trails. I was there yesterday and the number of people using the facility was substantial.

Kind Regards,

Andrew Featherstone
Belrose

I sent my email. Also got 3

Submitted by ricker on Mon, 26/05/2014 - 19:11.

I sent my email. Also got 3 of my friends to email letters themselves too. I've had responses from the councillors saying the following. Looms promising

Thank you Craig for your email.
Great to know you support the initiative and will keep your comments in mind on Tuesday when we make a decision.

Regards,

Cr Sue Heins

Dear Craig,

Thank you for your support!

I've been involved in this project for quite a while and it's now coming to a, hopefully positive, resolution.

It's great to see the high level of support from the community.

Many thanks
Jose

The Mayor has asked me to thank you for forwarding your comments in relation to future plans for Bare Creek. While the Mayor appreciates the issues you have raised and the importance of this issue to the mountain biking community, I can advise that the Mayor or the Councillors were presented with the formal presentation from the State Government last week and it is on the Agenda for formal consideration by Councillors at the Ordinary Meeting tomorrow evening, Tuesday 27 May 2014. You can be assured your comments have been noted by the Mayor and will be taken into consideration when this issue is formally considered.

Yours sincerely
Nicki Adams

Dear Sue Heins (Warringah

Submitted by mchargy on Mon, 26/05/2014 - 21:19.

Dear Sue Heins (Warringah Council Councillor and personal friend),
I am very disappointed that the Bare Creek Mountain Bike Park at Belrose may not go ahead. It was my understanding that the money was there and that the plan was finalised.

As you are probably aware, apart from Manly Dam there are no legal single track mountain bike trails in this area. As a result, many people resort to riding walking tracks because there are no other options apart from fire trails which for most mountain bikers provide a boring alternative.

Mountain biking is a growing sport in Australia and needs a venue so that it can be participated in safely. There have been numerous accidents at Manly Dam and a purpose built park such as this would provide a perfect venue for participants to hone their skills safely before tackling the more difficult terrain of Manly Dam.

Secondly, there is a growing obesity problem in Australia. We are now number 1 in the fat population stakes. A mountain bike park for people to recreate in is exactly what the Dr ordered.

As a business owner operating in Warringah, I would be happy to discuss arranging mountain bike skills clinics at Bare Creek Park to make the sport safer for all.

At the moment I have to travel to Jubes Mountain Bike Park at Wahroonga to run mountain bike skills clinics because Kuring gai Council charges only $20 per hour ( $60 for 3 hrs) to hire their facilities. Warringah Council on the other hand charges around $200 for 3 hours to hire venues such as JJ Melbourne Hills Reserve at Terry Hills. This cost is prohibitive for commercial operators such as myself because the maximum ratio of participants to coaches for insurance purposes is 6:1. Therefore it is very hard to make a profit once you take out coaching fees, promotional costs, insurance costs and venue hire etc.

I would love the opportunity to return revenue to Warringah Council via income from my MTB skills clinics but at the moment it is not cost effective.

I cannot attend tomorrow's meeting but I hope that you can pass on my concerns at the forum.
Thanks very much Sue,
Lisa
--
Lisa McHarg
SYDNEY BIKE SKILLS
Licensed AustCycle Provider and Teacher
Mobile: 0414 517 756
[email protected]
ABN: 15 068 613 086
http://www.sydneybikeskills.com.au/

Bare Creek Mountain Bike Proposal

Submitted by mchargy on Mon, 26/05/2014 - 21:21.

Dear Sue (Warringah Council Councillor and personal friend),
I am very disappointed that the Bare Creek Mountain Bike Park at Belrose may not go ahead. It was my understanding that the money was there and that the plan was finalised.

Secondly, there is a growing obesity problem in Australia. We are now number 1 in the fat population stakes. A mountain bike park for people to recreate in is exactly what the Dr ordered.

As a business owner operating in Warringah, I would be happy to discuss arranging mountain bike skills clinics at Bare Creek Park to make the sport safer for all.

I would love the opportunity to return revenue to Warringah Council via income from my MTB skills clinics but at the moment it is not cost effective.

Rapid Response

Submitted by Narralakes on Mon, 26/05/2014 - 21:41.

I also have had a reply from Cr. De Luca and the Mayor, similar to what is mentioned above. Keep up the pressure!

It is my understanding that

Submitted by hawkeye on Mon, 26/05/2014 - 22:57.

It is my understanding that at this time, it looks like only Vincent de Luca and Bob Giltinan are set to vote in favour, with the remainder including the mayor set to follow the staff recommendation.

Edit: Cr Jose Menano-Pires looks to be a possible in favour.

The $200k pa the staff reckon the facility will cost to run comes from NSW government presentation and is comprised as follows:
Site Supervision: $60k
Trail Maintenance: $60k
Mowing: $40k
Cleaning: $30k
Waste Management: $10k.

Site supervision at half a FTE? Really?
Trail maintenance - OMV I believe costs a $10k annual contribution from Hornsby Council
$40k in mowing? I must be in the wrong job
Cleaning a club could do for free
Waste management - not sure what's in that, but if it's emptying the bins that's a lot of bins.

Reply emails from Pat Daley

Submitted by andyfev on Tue, 27/05/2014 - 08:03.

Reply emails from Pat Daley and Duncan Kerr state in favour too

This is a reply I got from a

Submitted by ricker on Tue, 27/05/2014 - 10:27.

This is a reply I got from a mate who is big into advocating for MTBing. I emailed my state member too just in case.

I've already emailed the Councillors. However, need to also email Mike Baird (or your local State Member), as this should be considered a regional facility, and there is high likelihood that a local council could veto it due to their selfish concerns about management. Pressure from State Gov may be required.