Hornsby Council Draft Park Management Plan

Nice one, thanks Noel

should forward it to warringah council or the powers that be?

I have received the draft via email. It is a PDF about 1 mb in size. Let me know if you want me to email you a copy. Can NobMob host it on the web server?

"Dear Noel, Attached is the DRAFT copy of the Unstructured Recreation Management Plan. It will be a guide to dealing with management issues such as Mountain Bike riding in Bushland, but covers many more sports too. It will be going to Council May 2008. Council will consider it to go to the public. If endorsed by Council, it will go up for public consultation, at that time, you and your friends can make your comments. I'll remind myself to email you the link. But for now, please view this draft. Note: this may not be the exact version put up to Council, but will be close. Have another look at the final version on the web to confirm after the 14th May. Regards, Adam Burrowes, Manager, Bushland & Biodiversity, Hornsby Shire Council"

Here are some quotes (from searching 'Mountain'):

"The Shire is located on the Hornsby Plateau, which rises from the south to its highest point at Cowan. The Plateau is dissected with steep gullies and valleys, and much of this central and northern spine comprises large areas set aside as National Parks. This country is particularly attractive to mountain bike riders."

"The demand for mountain biking and BMX is consistent with an increase in demand for activities that:
- are physical and can be conducted in a social setting
- are appropriate to a wide range of age groups and proficiencies
- do not require ongoing routine commitment."

"Provide on-road cycling routes as per Bike Plan, provision for BMX and mountain biking facilities as outlined in Chapter 3.5 and 3.6"

"Therefore, it is essential that there is a good distribution of low-level local opportunities to participate as well as opportunities to travel to higher quality district opportunities. This applies to trails, BMX, mountain bike and skate facilities as well playing fields, courts and dog exercising areas."

"The same survey found that 3.1% of respondents felt there was an unmet demand for jogging / walking for pleasure / walking the dog (this was the third highest activity mentioned as representing an unmet demand after swimming / aquatic activities and cycling / mountain biking)."

"The 2001 resident survey showed 6.4% of respondents felt there was an unmet demand for cycling / mountain bike riding (this was the second highest activity mentioned in terms of unmet demand"

"At the next level there is demand for more purpose-built single track, roadside horse riding trails and cross-country mountain bike / BMX trails."

"Mountain Bike
The term “Mountain Bike” refers to any bicycle designed for off-road riding. Mountain bikes originated as all-purpose machines, but as the sport grew, mountain bikers began to ride a variety of terrain and products developed to address needs that are more specific. Types of mountain bikes can now generally be divided into: XC racing, XC Trail, All-Mountain, and Freeride."

"The provision of BMX and mountain bike activities does warrant some further investigation. A hierarchy and range of facilities to suit different disciplines of BMX is warranted, however in the short term there does need to be a focus on addressing the existing use and the management of existing facilities to ensure they are not impacting on biodiversity values."

"Sometimes mountain bike trail designers, or BMX event promoters are employed to design BMX jumps, and overlook the specific requirements of these in a public environment."

"There are four main types of mountain bikes XC (cross country) trail, XC racing, All-Mountain, and Freeride bikes18. Disciplines of MTB include: downhill and XC racing, 4X, trials and orienteering. The sport generally uses single tracks and trails or constructed jump circuits/trails in natural areas or parks. 4X, one of the newest disciplines and where a larger proportion of the growth is, uses a constructed track, similar to a BMX racing track, running down a slope.
The sale of mountain bikes accounts for the majority of all bike sales, however there are a lack of formalised facilities, which has led to conflicts with other park users and land managers.
There are numerous sites with established mountain bike use in the Berowa Regional Park, and other bushland sites managed by Council. In the local area, trails have been formed in bushland reserves causing damage to sensitive flora and posing potential risks to other park users on narrow tracks. There is one known mountain bike trails facility in the Shire provided on private land. The Manly Warringah MTB club have a track at Arcadia (Peebles Rd Arcadia).19 It is not accessible to the public.
A number of other local councils and land management agencies in Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria have developed public mountain bike parks. There is a 4X track in Homebush that is also used by BMX riders.
18Cross-country (XC) trails bikes are generally an all-purpose mountain bike providing more control but generally less speed. Cross-country (XC) racing bikes: mostly used by those who are focusing on fitness and endurance, where speed is a key objective –and there is less focus on control as required in steep descents.
All-mountain bikes (downhill) generally have bigger tires, advanced suspension and brakes and are suited to downhill and steep terrain.
Freeride bikes are designed to ride the most extreme types of terrain; steep chutes, large rocks and roots, big jumps and drop-offs-and any other terrain."

"There are few statistics available concerning the demand for mountain bikes or the demographic profile of riders. However, anecdotal evidence suggests there is significant growth in the activity as a competitive sport, and as a non-competitive activity, especially by older adults.
Mountain Bike Australia membership has increased by almost 400% over the last 5 years. Only 5 – 10% of mountain bike owners actually belong to an organised group or club.20
NSW has the largest proportion of Mountain Bike Australia memberships with over 1,500 members from NSW.
Mountain biking has traditionally been undertaken predominantly by males21 however there has been an increase in female participation in cycling over the last five years22 that is likely to correspond to increasing demand in mountain biking for women.
With the advancements in technology and rider skill there is an increased demand for more challenging trails to test rider skill and deter construction of trails in inappropriate locations.
The provision of mountain bike activities in the Hornsby Shire warrants some further investigation.
Various studies such as Assessing Recreation Demand and Opportunities Northern Sydney Region" study Feb 2004 by Parkland Environmental Planners for Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, and the DIPNR regional trails findings 2005 by HASSELL have identified demand for off-road cycling opportunities in the Northern Sydney Region.
20 International Mountain Bike Association Website.
21 90% of riders are male (Goeft & Alder 2000)
22 ERASS"

"There is established mountain bike use in natural areas in the Shire including on crown and other public land, however mountain bikes are not a permissible use of National or Regional Parks managed by NPWS except on a fire trail or management track.
NPWS currently have a major enforcement issue in relation to MTB in reserved crown land.
There are opportunities to embrace and manage mountain bike use in selective areas as has been done in Tasmania and Victoria.
Key Issues (cont’d)
There is a need to have a consistent approach by the Shire and other land managers to cross country MTB trails (especially DECC for Berowra Valley Regional Park and to a lesser extent Department of Lands). It would be desirable for Council to pursue this further with all agencies.
There are a number of significant risks associated with providing high-level MTB facilities, unless there is a high degree of management of trails, enforcement of the wearing of protective clothing and control over who rides what facilities. Most downhill trails and freeride jumps or all-mountain bike trails will not be able to be facilitated by Council in the urban environment unless in conjunction with a club and other relevant land owners or managers.
VOLUME 1. UNSTRUCTURED RECREATION FACILITIES PLAN 40
Policy directions: Mountain bike facilities
.. Facilitate MTB activities on a similar basis to BMX
.. No new facilities to be built without prior consideration of through-life asset management costs and the financial viability implications
.. Give priority to providing foundation level skills development, not elite level facilities or racing
.. Give priority for MTB facilities to:
o Negotiating consistent approach to provision of cross country trails with NPWS DECC and DOL
o addressing the management of existing trails in bushland, (eg Old Mans Valley);
o managing select single track MTB sites or jumps areas on suitable flat areas for MTBs (rather than down hill trails)
o developing new sites in appropriate urban locations such as Hayes Park, Galston
.. Work closely with local clubs and seek funds from Sport and Recreation or other sources to plan, design and manage one site eg Old Mans Valley.
.. Where a jump areas or trail is provided; ensure beginner and intermediate runs are provided to ensure there are graded challenges for riders. This will encourage skill development, and enable riders to ride a level of facility suitable to their level of proficiency.
.. Council should not provide for downhill MTB disciplines or provide sites suitable for competition unless a club manages the site and any competition.
.. Address issues identified with user constructed tracks as identified under BMX facilities (in the previous chapter)
.. See Schedule 6 for a process to address unauthorised locations.
.. See Schedule 7 for MTB site selection criteria
.. See Schedule 9 for specific actions regarding existing sites.
.. See Volume 2, Skate and BMX Management Policy and Plan"

... thanks Noel,
Bernd

Is where i grew up....there is plenty of opportunity there for development...it mentions the quarry near by, now that is something to get involved in. Its lands stretch from Behind hornsby tafe to old mans valley, its a fair lot and could be developed into something good if the man power and organisation was available.

Will look into a few more areas near by, only had a quick look at the table, i'm sure there are more areas listed that i've spent some time riding or at least walking through over the years.

In many cases the best trails are on inappropriate locations, and the best locations have crappy trails. I guess that is what the table tries to summarise. The Quarry (and the land around it) is a huge opportunity for a truly dedicated XC track. The local paper just goes on and on each week about all the things the Quarry (and massive surrounds) could be used for. I'd lay money that a decent track ends up around the quarry.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Australi...

The best trails that I know of are kept secret to protect them from the kids.

Council does not appear to like:
- Doubles
- North Shore BS (elevated structures)
- Damage to trees
- Down Hill stuff

(kids tend to build the above)

Council appears to like:
- XC Trail
- Access for emergency vehicles
- Provision of B lines where appropriate
- Consultation with people to try and make everybody happy

Here's an example of what was built around an old Quarry in SA:

http://www.recsport.sa.gov.au/recreation-sport-f...

PDF map:

http://www.recsport.sa.gov.au/pdf/Eagle%20Trailh...

It's a small area, but they have crammed in:

• Approximately 21kms of cross country trails
• A specifically designed downhill trail
• A skills development park
• A jumps park
• A trials area

Very nice and maybe an example to be shown around up here.

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