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Northern Beaches Trail Advocacy
Don't forget to comment on Warringah Council Draft Recreation Strategy
If you value riding Manly Dam and would like to see more council initiatives for MTB then please don't forget to comment on Warringah Council Draft Recreation Strategy 2009. The document can be downloaded here:
http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/comment/document...
According to Warringah Council Public Comment:
Comments on the Draft Recreation Strategy must be in writing and must be received by 5pm Friday October 23, marked 'Submission – Draft Recreation Strategy' and addressed to the General Manager, Warringah Council, 725 Pittwater Road, Dee Why 2099 or emailed to [email protected]. For more information call Council's Strategy and Policy team on 9942 2716.
Personally, while I commend the council for operating Manly Dam it is clear that a massive user base exists and Manly Dam is under pressure with these rider numbers and the current, rather lacking management policies there. I'm of the opinion the council should properly recognised the importance of Manly Dam to the riding community, give more resources to MTB management at Manly Dam and make finding a second (or maybe more) riding venue in it's jurisdiction a priority.
If you'd like to see more riding and better planning for MTB then simply write into the council (at the address above) and state your case. You don't have to be a Warringah resident to do this - the council are well aware that their facilities are a draw card for riders from many other areas (and indeed they should be proud of this and the economic benefits it brings to their community).
Manly Dam OPEN
Bumped into the MD ranger Warren this morning. He was doing some weekend work to clear a fallen tree on the MTB track near the bowling club. He said that the dam MTB track is OPEN, despite some "closed" signs. Apparently he couldn't unlock/remove the signs due to the weekend office closure. Track condition is OK (probably the driest of the NB area, due to limited rainfall over MD compared to say Terrey Hills, where it was bucketing). Few remaining puddles, but no biggies. Thx Warren! 
Friends Of Warringah Meet To Discuss MTB Single Trail
Manly Daily Wednesday Oct 7,2009
Page 6: Search for middle ground on bike use.
A proposal to allow mountain bike riders to use single trails in national parks will be one of the several topics discussed at the next meeting of the friends of warringah tonight at the North Curl Curl SLSC........
The entire story can be found here http://digitaledition.manlydaily.com.au/
There are some interesting quotes from Richard Michell (spokesperson for Friends Of Warringah) in regards to "middle ground".
Attendees needed, Fight for the Grove
http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?p...
"Last month's meeting was cancelled but we're on for this month!
Wednesday 7th October at Seaforth Oval clubhouse at 7:30pm.
The Mayor and other councillors will be attending and we need riders (and their families) to attend to show them that we still want a dirt jump/pump track facility in seaforth.
Look forward to seeing you all there!
Cheers, Dave"
Northern Beaches National Parks to pilot Sustainable MTB Access
I'm very pleased... neigh... ecstatic to be able to share this news which broke last night but has been embargoed until now.
With local MP Mike Baird championing the cause of mountain bike riders on the Northern Beaches NPWS have finally realised that working together with riders is the sensible way forward. There's a story in the Manly Daily with brief details here:
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/...
Mike's press release here:
http://www.mikebaird.com.au/interactive/manly_ne...
Aside from what is stated in the press, these are the outcomes as I was told:
- Northern Beaches has been chosen as a pilot area for the Government to improve mountain biking trails in national parks across the State.
- A full day of consultation will be held in late October with Northern Beaches mountain biking groups and environmentalists. This consultation will focus on statewide issues and then local issues at Garigal.
- NPWS are keen to resolve current tension at Garigal as soon as possible. The Regional Director for the Northern Area has instructed rangers on the ground to adopt a pragmatic approach until the issue is resolved.
- This initial stage of consultation will direct the Government's broader strategy on mountain biking, which will be finalised at the beginning of next year.
This does not mean that riding illegal trails is now OK - far from it. Many people have worked very hard to achieve this outcome and now is the time to show them your support and the opponents of mountain biking that the community is mature and can work well with other parties. The vast majority of riders has shown great patience but we need to hold that thought just a while longer.
This news shows what can be achieved with a positive attitude and the support of the community, and hope we can all look forward to what is to come.
Will be keeping everyone posted when more news is known about the upcoming meeting and progress in general.
What needs work at the Dam?
The Manly Dam rangers keep saying they are planning maintenance days there, with a hope that this might happen sooner rather than later think we should make a list of what needs fixing there.
Now, design issues aside, at this point let's focus on the current circuit as it stands and list where it could do with some TLC. Don't get into how you think the points should be repaired - just listing them should do for now.
Post your comments and I'll summarise here. I'll kick off with 4 points:
- Golf course sniggle: the chains are broken on a couple of boardwalks.
Warringah Council Unstructured Recreational Plan
According to the agenda on their website Warringah Council are to discuss the Exhibition of the Recreation Strategy next Tuesday night (Sep 22). Agenda is here:
http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/council_then/War...
Draft strategy can be downloaded here:
http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/council_then/doc...
The strategy recommends:
Undertake a mountain bike and off road cycling research paper in an attempt to address the increased use of natural areas for cycling and to investigate the provision of at least one other permissible riding area in Warringah.
I hope we can view this as a small step towards a second authorised riding area.
It is slightly disappointed that the report doesn't make recommendations for better management of the cycling trails at Manly Dam but at least MTB is recognised as a significant recreational pursuit.
MTBing in Tasmania,Show your support
Please everyone send a favourable reply to this draft, I'm sure many of us would be more inclined to visit Tasmania if this is implemented.
Draft Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan Released for Public Comment
Sport and Recreation Tasmania has released a Draft Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan for public comment. Individuals and organisations wishing to provide comment on the Draft Mountain Bike Plan have until 11 October 2009 to provide their submissions.
The Project
Sport and Recreation Tasmania recently engaged consultants from Inspiring Place to develop a state mountain bike plan for Tasmania. The plan, which is expected to be released in August 2009, will provide a framework for the coordinated development and marketing of mountain bike opportunities in Tasmania.
We need to get these people to do a proposal for NSW.
Also much of the draft can be reused in future advocacy work, so maybe even save the pdf
http://www.development.tas.gov.au/sportrec/curre...
Individuals wishing to provide comment on the Draft Mountain Bike Plan should e-mail the consultants preparing the plan at [email protected] or write to Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan, Inspiring Place, 208b Collins St, Hobart 7000, by 11 October 2009.
Manly Dam Works Feedback
Do you ride regularly at Manly Dam? How have the recent works affected your enjoyment of riding there? Do you have suggestions for improvements or other ideas?
It has been brought to my attention that anyone wishing to give feedback to Warringah Council on their recent works at Manly Dam can do so by writing to their general manager, Rik Hart, at the following email address: [email protected]
As this is a general email address I assume a subject of something like, "FAO Rik Hart re: Manly Dam Works" is required.
I would encourage anyone to report back to the council with their views on what has been happening at the Dam. It's very important we let the council know how their plans and works are received. If we don't let the powers that be know our views there will be no-one to blame but ourselves if things do not go quiet as riders would like in the future.
Please remember to be courteous and constructive and if you see any problems or issues perhaps suggest how they might be remedied.
In the interests of keeping a log of various feedback feel free to CC [email protected] with anything you send in.