One of the most neglected parts of Wollongong could become 'a shining light' if the proposal to transform Cringila Hills into a mountain biking park goes ahead as planned, councillors said.
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The draft master plan, under which the council is proposing to build an 11.8km network of mountain biking trails, a skill park and pump track, along with walking trails and picnic areas in the hills between Cringila and Berkeley, received unanimous support on Monday night.
All councillors - except for Lord Mayor and Berkeley resident Gordon Bradbery, who excused himself from the debate due to the proximity between his house and the site for the proposal - voted to open the plan for public comment between now and the end of January.
The feedback, which will come from residents, schools in the area and any other interested parties, will then be used to come up with a final plan before it goes ahead.
Urging all other councillors to support the proposal, Labor councillor Ann Martin said Cringila had needed more council attention for several years.
She said the plan, which will also relocate a children's playground already within the park and build a new formal car park for 80-100 cars, would provide better quality public space for the community and make the play areas safer because there would be passive surveillance to bring down crime.
"This will bring new people into Cringila to see what an amazing suburb it is," Cr Martin said.
"It's spectacular and kind of wild, with its views of Steelworks, views of the coast and natural environment."
Vicky King said the area needed to be looked at "holistically: during the public exhibition period, as it was important to protect the areas of remnant rainforest in the former industrial estate.
"The area of Berkeley and Cringila HIlls is a significant area, I think we could lose a lot out of it if we don't look at the area holistically," she said.
"Once we have the world famous bike tracks for mountain biking... we truly will have a lovely hills area of Wollongong."
Adding his support, Liberal councillor Cameron Walters said the area was underutilised and could become "a shining light of Wollongong".
The draft plan estimated it will cost about $1 million to build the trails in three stages.
Council staff said Cringila Hills - located off Jarvie Road between Cringila and Berkeley - is ideal for mountain biking, as it "offers spectacular views and is visually the dominant elevation in the southern suburbs".