A professional Wollongong mountain biker says authorising the Possums jumps at Balgownie is key to ensuring they are as safe as possible.
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The track, built and maintained by riders, has come under threat after the National Parks and Wildlife Service made plans to flatten the jumps due to safety and environmental concerns, as well as impacts on nearby residents.
Pro mountain bike athlete Josh Carlson said the jumps were built to an "immaculate" standard, and those responsible had created the track to provide a fun, safe and welcoming environment for riders.
"What's going to fix an area like this is legalising it," Mr Carlson said.
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He said this would allow for signage and the implementation of proper safety measures, which could be as simple as reshaping some of the jumps.
Mr Carlson said the sport would always hold some risks.
But he said the recent publicity around the track had resulted in more attention being paid to its maintenance, making it safer.
"If they knock down this zone, they're going to pop up somewhere else," Mr Carlson said.
The track is familiar to emergency services - over the long weekend, paramedics were called there three times.
"[It is] quite regular... enough to know where we're going, what to expect," NSW Ambulance Inspector Norm Rees said.
The regularity of call-outs has led to staff requesting that Inspector Rees write up a concept of operations, which sets out how emergency services respond to incidents at a particular location.
Inspector Rees said the injuries paramedics saw at Possums were usually "quite significant".
Mr Carlson said now talks were under way between users and National Parks, everyone was in a good space to determine what scenario was best for the track.
"Everyone understands there's going to be some give and take," he said.
There was a misconception about the mountain biking track too, Mr Carlson said; it was not made up only of young people, but included people from many backgrounds, including working professionals.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
