Online information sessions will be held on Tuesday for Wollongong residents to share ideas on the design of new beginner and intermediate bike tracks being built in the northern suburbs before Christmas.
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It follows a huge response to an invitation for members of the community to share their thoughts on three possible sites.
After receiving 514 online feedback forms and 17 emails, Wollongong City Council wrote back to the respondents saying that based on their feedback it had decided to start building two new bike tracks at Bulli Park on November 22. The other sites considered were at Mailbag Hollow, Bulli and Ocean Park Reserve, Woonona.
In the letter the council invited the residents to review the community feedback summary and how it was used to make the Bulli Park decision. It advised there will be two information sessions on Tuesday, the first starting at 4pm and the second at 5.30pm. Registrations are required and anyone who can't participate can provide feedback on track designs via the online project page.
The construction at Bulli comes as the council seeks to build new and improved dirt-tracks in different suburbs to provide opportunities for young riders to improve their skills. Many will be built in spaces near existing illegal bike tracks that can be dangerous and damage sensitive environments.
The council wants to work with the community to build safer and better alternatives and director of infrastructure and works Joanne Page said the response provided valuable input.
"We had some great feedback asking about existing uses like the cross-country track and heritage landscape elements within the site," she said.
"We will be able to build this new bike track in a way that does not conflict with existing uses, put the heritage elements at risk and that will sit sympathetically within the overall landscape of the park."
Ms Page said Bulli Park had many positives such as its slope and size which allows for exciting design opportunities. She said it was in a central location with links to the coastal cycleway and other bike paths, had established trees to provide shade and connections to three nearby schools and recreation activities.
Ms Page said Bulli Park was the latest step in a trial that started last year which resulted in the construction of Harry Graham Park's track in West Wollongong.
"The concept saw us working closely with young people and their families as well as an industry expert in the development of dirt pump tracks, to create a local track that would replace those being built illegally in the nearby creek corridor," she said.
We will work with Iconic Trails to design a track that utilises the site's downhill run and caters for all abilities. We're looking to build two tracks before the end of the year; a beginner track at the flatter top section of the park and an intermediate downhill track
- Joanne Page
"For the Bulli Track we will work with Iconic Trails to design a track that utilises the site's downhill run and caters for all abilities. We're looking to build two tracks before the end of the year; a beginner track at the flatter top section of the park and an intermediate downhill track.''
Ms Page said following community engagement in September construction was also underway on two tracks at Dimond Bros Reserve, Dapto.
There is a smaller track designed to build beginners' confidence with smaller jumps. And a bigger track with more challenging elements for people who already have experience with such tracks.
"There is a lot happening around our community to improve cycling infrastructure from the launch of the path in West Wollongong, there is a track in West Dapto under construction, starting on Bulli Park soon and work to begin shortly on another of these tracks in Anama Street, Fairy Meadow," she said.
Ms Page said there are ongoing plans to see more tracks built across the city.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
