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Northern Beaches Trail Advocacy
Late reply from NPWS
While many people reported receiving this canned reply from Sally Barnes last month, for whatever reason I only got mine this week.
Which is a good thing I guess, because it reminded me to reply. I wrote back and brought up 2 points:
Manly Warringah War Memorial Park (Manly Dam) Plan of Management
A few keen eyed readers - guys... really... have you got nothing better to do? 
- have noticed Warringah Council has announced they are starting the Manly Dam PoM review process in their latest newsletter:
Narrabeen Lagoon Multi-use Trail Gets Green Light
http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/news_events/docu...
After months of designing, surveying, and conducting environmental and impact assessments, construction is about to start on Stage 1 of the missing section of multi-use trail that will complete circumnavigation of Narrabeen Lagoon.
Lane Cove NP - access via Vimiera / M2 underpass
From CAMWEST via mtb-oz, news that will affect mtb access to LCNP and anyone that uses the Brown's waterhole cycle path to link the upper north shore with the rest of the world, or commutes of trains on the M2.....
most of you would be aware of the proposed closure of the break down lane on the M2 for a period of two years whilst upgrading works are carried out. The greatest effects will be felt around Macquarie Uni, but it will have ramifications for any commuting cyclist travelling east of Windsor Road.
Bio Bank?
This is pretty disgusting:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/swap-and-chop-...
Developers will be able to bulldoze environmentally sensitive land in Sydney if they pay to protect equivalent land elsewhere, under a scheme that puts a dollar value on animals and plants.
NPWS issues - It's time for some letter writing!
Although we have had positive engagement with NPWS staff in the last six months, more recently I have become concerned that things are stalling at government level and am less optimistic about the process that started last year (see NPWS Sustainable Cycling and Mountain Biking Workshop).
Seems I'm not alone in this thinking, as below is some information one of the NoBMoB advocacy crew put together.
The bottom line is, it's time to get a concerted email campaign going. We need to show the powers that be we appreciate efforts to date, but that concrete results on the ground (in the bush!) are what is needed.
Please, everyone, do not leave this to chance. Do not expect that everyone else will be writing and your little bit won't make a difference. As we saw with Manly Dam, every letter counts and you can make a difference!
Even if you only string a short paragraph or two together saying you enjoy riding and would like to see legal single track in the Northern Beaches that would help. If you have time to include some background and a personal perspective all the better.
Below are the addresses of the current minister (Frank Sartor) and some DECCW management that need to hear our message:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Read on for more information on this and ideas of what needs to be said...
Council to vote on WSN Site (Belrose Tip) future on Tuesday
Update: The outcome of this meeting is discussed here: http://nobmob.com/node/14541
If you have a look at the Warringah Council agenda for next Tuesday[1], astute readers will notice point 8.3...
http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/council_then/doc...
... with it's attachment...
http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/council_then/doc...
This point is titled, "Belrose Waste and Recycling Centre – Draft Future Use Concept Plan" and recommends against MTB use of the tip once landfill operations cease. The recommendations being:
A. That Council provide in principle support to Option 1 – Combined Passive Use (informal recreation), Belrose Landfill site.
B. That further investigation of options, available funding and opportunities for third party involvement in future recreational uses at the Belrose Waste and Recycling Centre be referred to the NSW Government for consideration.
Now - as discussed on the thread with the above graphic, the site was never going to be a large part of the MTB solution, but it could make up a small part of the overall mix of cycling related activities in the area. There is scope for trials, 4X, dirt jumps, perhaps even some short freeride runs.
If you care about riding in the Northern Beaches it would be best to write in to council and ask them to vote for option 3 (dedicated MTB tracks) or a combination of options 1 and 3 (both passive recreation with MTB areas).
It might be worth pointing out a few flaws in the options arguments. Eg:
1. The option doesn't consider 4X, trails, dirt jump or freeride - it mentions "800m" of DH or XC tracks with "2.5 minute ride". Now, the area is small, but it's not that small!
2. If XC trails could be linked with the nearby areas in Garigal National Park they would be beneficial to an overall strategy for the area. Land managers have to stop thinking alone, and work together.
3. The options state number 1 (passive recreation) is, "...least likely to be affected by land fill stability.". Hardly - some might argue a bit of instability would enhance a freeride track for example.
4. The options state that number 3 (MTB trails) would have a high initial and operational cost. How so? Are there not DH, FR, DJ areas at Morgan Road, Red Hill, etc? How much do these cost council? I'm thinking the answer is, "Nothing". How then, would the tip be any different?
5. Local bike riders have always been told that Belrose Tip would be suitable and once rehabilitated form part of the solution. If this option is taken off the table - where else is council (and other local authorities) planning to accommodate the growing demand?
The bottom line is: We should be working towards a cross tenure solution for riding in the Northern Beaches and the Belrose site can be a small part of this.
Please write to council with your comments on this. Here's a handy list of addresses to copy/paste:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Hornsby Council lobbying... time to bang the table
From HSMBA:
Hi Everyone,
We continue to come under fire from conservationist groups. Our recreation
is called short term, expensive, exclusive, for a small age group and that we
will lead to the ultimate destruction of all flora and fauna. Seriously!
So we have a real battle because even though we know the facts do not
support these claims, the decision makers do not necessarily know the truth
and are swayed. We are trying to educate them with the facts and also
inviting them to the IMBA workshop for land managers in late April, but it's
a battle.
Update on Manly Dam Maintenance Days
A few weeks back, when I thought the dust from the Manly Dam debacle had settled, thought it was time to ask council what is going to happen with maintenance days.
The story so far (for those that don't know) is that I've been asking the rangers there since June 2008 (22 months!) when riders can help maintain the track they love so much. Each time I ask, they are always "coming soon". More examples of when I spoke to them and was told the same thing:
April 2009: http://nobmob.com/node/8820
September 2009: http://nobmob.com/node/10703
IMBA - NSW Trail Sustainability Forum and Workshop
If you can think of a good illness which covers you for 3 days straight of sickies, might be of interest to some of you.
http://www.oric.org.au/Events/Int_Mountain_Bikin...
This is the email I received below:
Good afternoon
It is with great pleasure that I inform you of the 2010 NSW Trail Sustainability Forum and Workshop to be held in Hornsby, Sydney on 27th, 28th and 29th April.