The Illawarra mountain biking community is outraged at the news National Parks and Wildlife NSW will remove dirt jumps from popular 'Possums' track in the Balgownie area.
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An NPWS spokesperson told the Mercury that works to remove the jumps are due to begin on Monday, June 14.
"Works will be confined to the heavily disturbed area where the jumps are located," the spokesperson said.
"The jumps are illegal and cause environmental impacts and safety issues in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area, and also affect surrounding private property."
However, mountain bikers said the jumps represent hours of work over many years.
They were built by hand with shovels, and were often the joint project of groups of children passionate about the sport.
Fifteen-year-old Fergus Bolack has been mountain biking for two years and said the jumps were "super awesome".
"There's nothing like it around this area, and I'm proud of the people who built these - they've put so much work into it," he said.
"It's such a good spot for local kids to get better at mountain biking."
NPWS said they were working with Wollongong City Council and the community to develop a Mountain Bike Strategy for the Illawarra Escarpment.
"NPWS will look at rehabilitating tracks that have recently been built in locations that have environmental impacts, safety risks or affect surrounding private property," the NPWS spokesperson said.
Mountain biker Michael Thompson said 'Possums' was unique, and riders appreciated the local environment.
"The soil here is really good for riding on, the canopy is beautiful and shaded in summer," he said.
"Because the track and the jumps are not too steep it doesn't actually cause too much erosion.
"They say it causes damage to the environment, but kids who are up here spending time in the wilderness appreciate it."
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