Workshop 5 – The NSW MTB Trail Forum and Workshop in Hornsby, Sydney Postive advocacy and the hard work of key MTB trail advocates in Sydney over the last year has initiated a review of cycling in parks by management and politicians. It is this great work that has created an "environment" where NSW land managers want to hear about IMBA techniques for developing sustainable trail for MTB access in public areas. Due to the hard work of a few, riders, land managers and conservation groups have been meeting to discuss a way forward. So in this new climate, it was intended that an IMBA Workshop would help to provide further information in regard to MTB trail management and encourage land managers to provide great trails for MTB riders. The workshop in Hornsby, Sydney was a bit different to the other workshops. We opened with the NSW Forum and it was well attended with Parks Staff, Local Councils, Mountain Bike advocates and club reps. It was chance to find out what was going on in the different parts of the state. Some good news and some tough issues were highlighted during the day, but what was clear was that the attendees were interested in finding solutions to ongoing issues in their parts of the State, with a strong emphasis on making the right choices about trail management in the future. Thus trail sustainability and proactive trail management was a common goal. It was certainly recognised that cross tenure trail networks are important for bike trail management and that land managers need to think in term of regions and ecosystems, not just land parcels. What will come out of the workshops directly is not yet clear. It is important to work with land managers to find real solutions to local issues. Big challenges are still to be overcome. For the NSW Rec and Sport agencies, footy is still king, with some provision for tennis and cricket. However, we want to take them on and show them that unstructured recreation is where it is at. It’s the future and public access to recreational trails will yield the best results for the community in terms of general health and well being, but also by facilitating a connection with nature and a greater social value on bushland amongst future generations. Day 2 – included a visit to Ourimbah State Forest to see the great work that had been done by the Central Coast MTB club who have a lease over the forest to manage trails and events. That’s tough for a volunteer organisation but these guys are making it work. It was great for delegates to see the practical applications for what had been discussed during the day. Day 3 – the workshop and the national tour was wrapped up with a visit to the Hornsby Quarry to look at how MTB could possibly be incorporated into the future developments and restoration of the area for public open space. It’s a very special little place with a great opportunity to create fantastic facilities for the broader community. It is amazing how you can feel like you are well away from the urban mayhem, by entering this little sanctuary. I look forward to working with the Hornsby riders and council staff to find viable outcomes for MTB in the region. With all said and done, the Sydney basin is a very exciting place for MTB trail development. The terrain, rocks, trees, free draining soils and great views of the ocean (in some locations) could well be god’s gift to MTB. More broadly, NSW has many great trail experiences available already, but now is the time to take it to the next level and begin to realise the full potential. If we can ensure that MTB is sustainable and in keeping with the conservation strategies for the parks system and council bushland, then we will be able to move forward to produce trail networks that cater for all. IMBA Australia is keen to be part of that beautiful future. Special Thanks to: |
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