cokeonspecialtwodollars
Fartes of Portingale
They don't pay me directly but I make sure that money is working for me while it sits around waiting for them to collect it.
EDIT: Fuck, that reminds me.
Last edited:
Little Things You Hate
- Thread starter -|Sean|-
- Start date
EDIT: Fuck, that reminds me.
Plankosaurus
Spongeplank Dalepantski
Is it time to start a "piss off parks Vic" thread?
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Planned Trail Closure in Woowookarung Regional Park
Parks Victoria recently informed the club that a large proportion of trails in the Katy Ryans Road and Davidsons Road area of Woowookarung Regional Park will be permanently closed.
Trails marked for closure include a number of MTB favourites including Minefield, Woodwards, Itchy Leg, Katys Trail and Tiptoe. These trails have been in existence for many years - well before the Park was formed and the management of this public land was entrusted to Parks Victoria.
The MTB Club committee was provided with the preliminary proposal and given the opportunity to comment on the planned closures. The committee campaigned to keep all the trails that have been used for events in the past (and that could be used in the future), however the only concession was to allow the Canadian Switchbacks to remain. Below is what the club put forward as part of the consultation. The committee complied with Parks Victoria’s request at the time to not disclose information on the planned closures to our members or the broader community. Parks Victoria recently lifted this request and indicated they do not feel further consultation is warranted in this instance. As such, many club members and trail users will not be aware of the plans for the Park.
The first image included with this post shows the current trails in this part of the Park. The second image shows which trails will remain after the trail closures have been completed. As you can see, many of the best trails in this Park will be removed. Parks Victoria have also noted that they have not yet confirmed plans for closure of other trails in the rest of the park. Notably, there are no clear plans or timelines for the development of the MTB trails network outlined in the Woowookarung Master Plan. It would seem logical that any trail closure should occur after this network is complete so that the MTB community are not unfairly disadvantaged.
If you would like to get some further details regarding the planned trail closure, some rationale as to why and information on the consultation process that was undertaken, Alex the local ranger at Woowookarung has kindly offered to explain this to you. Parks Victoria would prefer people get in touch with them via email at woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au but feel free to call the 13 1963 general number and ask to talk to someone about Woowookarung Regional Park if you would prefer to chat.
At this stage the MTB committee, on behalf of its members and the wider community, is in the process of formally following up on this plan with Parks Victoria. If you are interested in supporting the club with action, or identify as a trail user likely to be impacted by the planned closures, then please feel free to contact the MTB committee at ballaratmtb@gmail.com.
These trials closure will not only impact the MTB community but other users such as walkers, runners and horse riders who use these trails.
If there is one thing we have all learnt during this pandemic is the significant value of local easily accessible green spaces for recreational opportunities to support community health and wellbeing. Closing trails that have and continue to serve the community during the current pandemic and beyond while not offering viable alternatives is clearly not a good outcome.
This Park was promised to the community for the community during the 2014 elections. Many people in the community campaigned for, benefit from and are connected to these trails so we know they are important. The club wants to ensure the future use and intentions for the Park are consistent with the promises made.
Club submission to Trail Closure Plans in January 2020
Dear Parks Victoria
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the discussion regarding the track closures around Bakers Rd
As a committee we were taken back quite a bit by the extent of the proposed closures, particularly the fact that many of the trails earmarked for closure are near and dear to us.
Consistently we have been advocating for the retention of trails that the club has used for permitted events prior to and after the formation of the park. These are part of what has been known as the ‘12km event loop’ which the club and the mountain biking community have had a close association with for more than a decade. These trails have been identified in bright green in the attached map.
These trails have/are used heavily by the club and the broader community (as evidence by Strava data – can provide if needed) and many feel strongly about retaining them. They are well designed and easy to maintain as evidenced by more than a decade of use with minimal to no degradation observed and no formal maintenance undertaken.
The club has worked in good faith during the transition from state forest to regional park and has put in significant resources in maintaining and rehabilitating trails in Woowookarung. In fact, the club was one of the first community organisation to be formally involved in the active management of the state forest/regional park. The club feels that this long term commitment to the park and its trails should be considered when making decision about trail infrastructure. The club has already been negatively impacted membership wise as a result of decreased access to trails in Woowookarung for events since the inception of the park.
We acknowledge that the park strategy has plans for a dedicated MTB trial network and urge parks Victoria to at least keep the trails we have identified open until this new trail network has been established. The club would be prepared to be involved ongoing maintenance of these trails to ensure they remain in good condition.
The club believes that if these much loved trails are closed and no other viable trail options are made available for events and recreational riding to replace them, then this will lead to a significant frustration within our membership and the broader MTB community that will likely lead to campaigns to stop these closures. The club, as advocates for trail access for its members and the MTB community, feel the MTB users should not be made worse off in a park that they have demonstrate a long history of responsible use in.
Kind Regards
MTB Committee
Sent from my H8324 using Tapatalk
-----------------------------
Planned Trail Closure in Woowookarung Regional Park
Parks Victoria recently informed the club that a large proportion of trails in the Katy Ryans Road and Davidsons Road area of Woowookarung Regional Park will be permanently closed.
Trails marked for closure include a number of MTB favourites including Minefield, Woodwards, Itchy Leg, Katys Trail and Tiptoe. These trails have been in existence for many years - well before the Park was formed and the management of this public land was entrusted to Parks Victoria.
The MTB Club committee was provided with the preliminary proposal and given the opportunity to comment on the planned closures. The committee campaigned to keep all the trails that have been used for events in the past (and that could be used in the future), however the only concession was to allow the Canadian Switchbacks to remain. Below is what the club put forward as part of the consultation. The committee complied with Parks Victoria’s request at the time to not disclose information on the planned closures to our members or the broader community. Parks Victoria recently lifted this request and indicated they do not feel further consultation is warranted in this instance. As such, many club members and trail users will not be aware of the plans for the Park.
The first image included with this post shows the current trails in this part of the Park. The second image shows which trails will remain after the trail closures have been completed. As you can see, many of the best trails in this Park will be removed. Parks Victoria have also noted that they have not yet confirmed plans for closure of other trails in the rest of the park. Notably, there are no clear plans or timelines for the development of the MTB trails network outlined in the Woowookarung Master Plan. It would seem logical that any trail closure should occur after this network is complete so that the MTB community are not unfairly disadvantaged.
If you would like to get some further details regarding the planned trail closure, some rationale as to why and information on the consultation process that was undertaken, Alex the local ranger at Woowookarung has kindly offered to explain this to you. Parks Victoria would prefer people get in touch with them via email at woowookarung@parks.vic.gov.au but feel free to call the 13 1963 general number and ask to talk to someone about Woowookarung Regional Park if you would prefer to chat.
At this stage the MTB committee, on behalf of its members and the wider community, is in the process of formally following up on this plan with Parks Victoria. If you are interested in supporting the club with action, or identify as a trail user likely to be impacted by the planned closures, then please feel free to contact the MTB committee at ballaratmtb@gmail.com.
These trials closure will not only impact the MTB community but other users such as walkers, runners and horse riders who use these trails.
If there is one thing we have all learnt during this pandemic is the significant value of local easily accessible green spaces for recreational opportunities to support community health and wellbeing. Closing trails that have and continue to serve the community during the current pandemic and beyond while not offering viable alternatives is clearly not a good outcome.
This Park was promised to the community for the community during the 2014 elections. Many people in the community campaigned for, benefit from and are connected to these trails so we know they are important. The club wants to ensure the future use and intentions for the Park are consistent with the promises made.
Club submission to Trail Closure Plans in January 2020
Dear Parks Victoria
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the discussion regarding the track closures around Bakers Rd
As a committee we were taken back quite a bit by the extent of the proposed closures, particularly the fact that many of the trails earmarked for closure are near and dear to us.
Consistently we have been advocating for the retention of trails that the club has used for permitted events prior to and after the formation of the park. These are part of what has been known as the ‘12km event loop’ which the club and the mountain biking community have had a close association with for more than a decade. These trails have been identified in bright green in the attached map.
These trails have/are used heavily by the club and the broader community (as evidence by Strava data – can provide if needed) and many feel strongly about retaining them. They are well designed and easy to maintain as evidenced by more than a decade of use with minimal to no degradation observed and no formal maintenance undertaken.
The club has worked in good faith during the transition from state forest to regional park and has put in significant resources in maintaining and rehabilitating trails in Woowookarung. In fact, the club was one of the first community organisation to be formally involved in the active management of the state forest/regional park. The club feels that this long term commitment to the park and its trails should be considered when making decision about trail infrastructure. The club has already been negatively impacted membership wise as a result of decreased access to trails in Woowookarung for events since the inception of the park.
We acknowledge that the park strategy has plans for a dedicated MTB trial network and urge parks Victoria to at least keep the trails we have identified open until this new trail network has been established. The club would be prepared to be involved ongoing maintenance of these trails to ensure they remain in good condition.
The club believes that if these much loved trails are closed and no other viable trail options are made available for events and recreational riding to replace them, then this will lead to a significant frustration within our membership and the broader MTB community that will likely lead to campaigns to stop these closures. The club, as advocates for trail access for its members and the MTB community, feel the MTB users should not be made worse off in a park that they have demonstrate a long history of responsible use in.
Kind Regards
MTB Committee
Sent from my H8324 using Tapatalk
moorey
call me Mia
Yes. It’s pretty gutting. We’ve used those trails for our kids Dirt Critters for the last 12+ years. There’s absolutely no logic in it.
Labcanary
One potato, two potato, click
I wonder if it's because of the misguided minority who think mountain bikers are environmental vandals? Or maybe the 4WDers and motos want the forest all to themselves without those pesky non-motored two wheel riding weirdos around?
moorey
call me Mia
There was meant to be consideration for shared use between bikes, walkers and horses....I’m not sure if the others had better lobbyists.....I know a lot of people who worked for years on behalf of bikes....and they’re distraught.
pink poodle
気が狂っている男
Is widespread trail closer in park land part of a private bike park masterplan?
indica
Serial flasher
She's a lying cow... followed by this fountain of shit...
“They say things that sometimes they deeply regret. I’m sure that all of you have found yourself, at a time of frustration, perhaps saying things you regret. And I would simply ask you, given the comment was made in a private place, that you offer the same generosity to how you perceive something you might have said, and perhaps apply the same standard to Linda Reynolds who, at the time, was under significant stress.
“She deeply regrets it. They were offensive remarks. She should never have made them. I don’t condone them. But what matters is that we continue to address the substance of the issues here, as we are.”
Does that mean the fat cow didn't mean it? NO, she regrets being heard saying it by someone that said something.
“They say things that sometimes they deeply regret. I’m sure that all of you have found yourself, at a time of frustration, perhaps saying things you regret. And I would simply ask you, given the comment was made in a private place, that you offer the same generosity to how you perceive something you might have said, and perhaps apply the same standard to Linda Reynolds who, at the time, was under significant stress.
“She deeply regrets it. They were offensive remarks. She should never have made them. I don’t condone them. But what matters is that we continue to address the substance of the issues here, as we are.”
Does that mean the fat cow didn't mean it? NO, she regrets being heard saying it by someone that said something.
Labcanary
One potato, two potato, click
I believe it's a similar story with the Creswick trails. Trails promised, funding granted, funding spent on bureaucracy, number of trails promised decreases, no actual trail work done by the expected due date.
I really hope this doesn't happen with Woowookarung.
cammas
Seamstress
I seen that today then I went for on my local trail where they’ve being working with Parks on legalising the network, then someone built a little loop which is fantastic loop but Parks say it illegal and have posted signs saying so. Fair enough it was done without consultation but then I get down to the next loop as they have two trail heads and then I find someone has built this, now this is also built over the top of the existing trails and is an accident waiting to happen. The original loop runs across the down ramp and does the same further down the trail. This has been built over the last couple of days as the one at start still had wet concrete. These will be the same people that will cry & scream when the trails are shut and for comparison that’s my bike on the left so these aren’t small.
moorey
call me Mia
The Woowookarung trails are all just narrow natural XC single track that have developed over the last 20 years. Many local and state XC races were run there in the past with council blessing. No one is building features in there...that’s all being done at Nerrina, and an entirely different story that I can’t see ending well...That stuff is gorgeous but huuuuuge. Someone will die there soon.
Just more examples of Ballarat systematically closing all the bush to bikes. Mt Buninyong has a small club of old walkers/wankers that live nearby that have a lot of pull with council, and have succeeded in getting ‘no bikes’ signs on all the trails. All the stuff out adjoining my place is lesser known, but becoming so popular that it’s bound to come under scrutiny at some point as traffic increases even more now with Woowookarung effectively closing.
The promised Creswick trails fiasco is just a baffling clusterfuck. Would love to see who pocketed the millions that have disappeared without the trails being built.
Just more examples of Ballarat systematically closing all the bush to bikes. Mt Buninyong has a small club of old walkers/wankers that live nearby that have a lot of pull with council, and have succeeded in getting ‘no bikes’ signs on all the trails. All the stuff out adjoining my place is lesser known, but becoming so popular that it’s bound to come under scrutiny at some point as traffic increases even more now with Woowookarung effectively closing.
The promised Creswick trails fiasco is just a baffling clusterfuck. Would love to see who pocketed the millions that have disappeared without the trails being built.
silentbutdeadly
has some good things to say
LTIH: my doctor says I probably can't do MTB until an orthopaedic surgeon says so due to a completely torn ACL but also said that even without surgery...at least four months till I can go out on the road. Today I find out that I can't see an orthopaedic surgeon until mid May....
silentbutdeadly
has some good things to say
In ways I clearly haven't plumbed the depths of as yet...tried the trainer in the shed yesterday, nope...not enough knee flex yet. Fuck. I'm getting to the wrong end of the age ledger for proper MTB as it is and I REALLY don't want to go out like this. Especially if it takes a further 18 months to get an arthroscopy spot...Well fuck, that suuuuuuuuuuuuuucks...
HamboCairns
Thanks for all the bananas
I can't imagine how gutted I'd be if one day Smithfield was permanently shut down.
fjohn860
Alice in diaperland
Shitty news indeed.
I'm 8 weeks off the bike about now and it is near killing me.
Hopefully you can get in a bit earlier somehow.
SummitFever
Eats Squid
Get a good physio. In general terms if there is nothing mechanically catching in the knee then you want to keep it moving and get the range of motion back before you do your ACL reconstruction. Cycling will strengthen those knee support muscles so its good to do in the lead up and after the surgery.
That’s not good news. You need to keep it moving. Did they give you a brace to wear? I’d look at getting in a swimming pool if you can. Walk laps, use a floaty, swim.
leitch
Feelin' a bit rrranty
Was going to say the same. Get in the pool asap.
silentbutdeadly
has some good things to say
Righto...thanks everyone for the comments. Its mostly functional and I'm up and doing paddock work. Knee is wrapped in a compression bandage but otherwise unbraced. Can't ride a trainer because there's a partial tear on the patella tendon that's buggering up the knee flex. And the town pool closes in a couple of weeks for the season.
The good news is I've booked in to see an orthopaedic surgeon privately in just a couple of weeks...which means a trip to the big smoke. If old mate says that knife work is required then I can either go on the public book and wait more than 18 months or stump up ten grand or so and go private...in a matter of weeks.
Thank Huey I didn't do this injury on the bike (crashed off my scaffolding instead...#oldblokesonladders) so they don't get caught in the blowback!
The good news is I've booked in to see an orthopaedic surgeon privately in just a couple of weeks...which means a trip to the big smoke. If old mate says that knife work is required then I can either go on the public book and wait more than 18 months or stump up ten grand or so and go private...in a matter of weeks.
Thank Huey I didn't do this injury on the bike (crashed off my scaffolding instead...#oldblokesonladders) so they don't get caught in the blowback!