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Debate over BMX track built illegally Cape Woolamai foreshore by Bass Coast Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead

Emotional debate over illegal BMX Track on Cape Woolamai foreshore prompts council's proactive strategy development for safe facilities.

By news@gippsland - 1st August 2023 - Back to News

By Bass Coast Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead. Local newspapers have run stories in the last couple weeks on the emotional debate over the BMX track built illegally on the fragile Cape Woolamai foreshore. I think we all can understand that children just want to have fun on their bikes and their parents want to "let kids be kids" and off their screens and out in nature.

Council values sentiments but prioritises wider community responsibilities, including environment protection, public safety. Establishing BMX strategy with community input

Promoting recreation

Council absolutely acknowledges and shares those sentiments, but we have wider community responsibilities, including protecting our beautiful Bass Coast natural environment which we cherish so much. We simply can't ignore when trees are being illegally removed and vandalism is taking place. We also must ensure public safety on public land. This was the reason the council had to act on this illegal BMX track and shut it down.

I admire the hugely passionate community of people fighting for more BMX, pump tracks and mountain biking in Bass Coast which is why I am determined to help lead the fight. Council recently set up the BMX/Pump Tracks/Mountain Bike Reference to assist council to determine suitable and safe locations and undertake strategy development for BMX, Pump Tracks and Mountain Bike trails across the Shire.

I chaired the first meeting on Wednesday 28 June which bought together 11 eager community representatives from across the Shire to discuss all things Mountain Bike/BMX and Pump. Council officers from the recreation team explained how the design consultants brief is currently being finalised and we will have a consultant engaged by early August to oversee the delivery of the strategy.

Inclusive recreation strategy

From there, the reference group will work with council officers and the consultant to create a draft strategy that will be shared with the community for feedback. Key components of the strategy are ensuring the construction of jumps and skills tracks are built on land that is suitable, without contravening any planning or land management requirements, environmental impacts of public safety concerns.

Also vital will be establishing safe facilities for all ages and abilities that work with our fragile coastal ecosystems, not damaging much-needed native vegetation. I am hoping the draft strategy will be available for community consultation before the end of this year.

Pictures from Pump Track for Cape Woolamai Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com