NPWS meeting re Oxford Falls and Nth Beaches trails

[DeBloot]

Yesterday, 2 members of the Northern Beaches MTB community met with the NPWS re Oxford Falls and Nothern Beaches trails.
A link to some of the issues discussed are below.
I think it's important to give it a read. Knowledge is power.
http://nobmob.com/node/4835

[Cuthbert]

You have a PM

[PLUCAS]

It's a start I guess and I personally would very much like to see more of
this type of dialogue continue and from what I understand Warringah
council are very well aware of the need for some positive steps to be made
to address the need for mountain bike access in the area.

I would also like to say that from what I have heard from council the
area that is the old DH racetrack now the Contentous Freeride section
is private land of which Council or NPWS service have no control over. and
from the transcript I gather this is not an area they are concerned with.

I myself would like to advise people that the Federal Greens Candidate for
Warringah lives between the fire road and the Freeride section and is very
much opposed to mountain biking in this area, this is an attitude we
need to change and could easiliy be successfull if people respond in a
calm and thoughtfull manner and are more carefull when parking and
shuttling i.e. try to be quite drive slowly etc. It is important that we get the
local residents on-side. So say g'day smile ask them what it is about
mountain biking they particually don't like. Let's all try to be postive and
don't forget to play the fat kid and bush fire prevention cards.

Also I think riding the Bahai trail is generally a very bad idea

[DeBloot]

Hey Dave. I've PM'd you.
Yes, it can get a bit chaotic around OF at times.
And really, I guess the best we can do for the time being is keep mindful of the residents- particularly the early mornings. (and obey the signs where possible )
Anyway, it is the growth of MTB that has caused this, so councils and nat. parks can't continue to ignore/ ban it. And thankfully, they aren't completely.

[scratchy]

Awesome work, well done guys. Establishing a line of communications is a huge hurdle, but once that is done things begin to happen.

[Jonny26]

Great work by the guys at Nobmob!!!

[Derka Derka]

I just got back from Makara peak in NZ. This is a bit of land, a very big bit that the wellington city council turned into a mountain bike park! The trails were built by volunteers and miminal funding was received. The park is a great ride and a testomant to what can be done with the help of a council and some volunteers!!!! To give you an idea of how much work went in, one very small section of the park took 1500 man hours to complete. Mountain bike builder legends. The mountain bike volunteers also undertook a planting project turning a crappy bit of farm land into a native bush covered hillside!!! Think on how that might work in sydney..

My point is allot of things,

First with abit of council help MTBers can really create something good.

Second, MTBers can contribute on a green level. Just because we use the enviroment doesnt mean we dont like it...most do! I really dislike how some people think that they are an authority on stuff and that no one else can contribute..what a load of BS

I also think that if Oxy for example is shut down, my mountain bike will not sit in the garage collecting dust, and i will just find somewhere else to make good and to ride as will most MTBers. Good that this is being recognised