I've already talked to the regional manager for NPWS, he said that we are tot ake it up with council for a possible opportunity for funding a proper network. Once we do get contact, and asuming it's positive, we get back to Ian at NPWS Wollongong.
Cool, so he knows who you are, now it's time to represent.
You will have to form a committee if you want to be taken seriously.
Forming a committee
It's relatively easy really. To incorporate (best way to get recognised) you'll need to hold a minuted AGM annually and elect a minimum of president, VP, secretary and treasurer- you also need to nominate a public officer. In Tasmania this is all arranged through service tasmania- and similar in other states. You need only meet as regularly as you need- or more regularly if stipulated in your constitution- speaking of which, you'll need one of these. Its usually just a proform document where you cut and paste as you wish- an editable template if you will.
Get IMBA Support
get some IMBA support. Contact Nick Bowman and advise him of the current situation, don't sugarcoat it, and see if he will be able to offer any strategic advice. It's his job, and he's good at it. Even without thier support it is still feasible so don't get down if they can't come up with (and don't expect them to come up with) a deal maker.
imba.au@bigpond.com
Get Training
At a bear minimum public trail networks really need to be designed by an inured professional- it's a liability nightmare otherwise. Auditing, reviewing, deleting trails is a pretty fine art that requires a lot of experience to get right. Generally speaking though you want a small, organised network to start with. Stacked loops and clover leaf layouts work great- check the IMBA website for more info, or buy there trailbuilding book if you're really keen. It would be wortyh researching if there are any professional walking track designers and builders in the Sydney/Shire/Illawarra area. They have expertise that can be harnessed and used effectively, and they will understand the administrative processes involved in organising insurance.
Providing successful models of current sustainable trails in Australia and OS
If you can provide a proposal to the council that shows the success of current council funded trail networks, it will display hard evidence of the benefits to the greater recreational community. There are documents about (Governments are best) with Australian examples, though it's not easy to find much. I can obtain some research in this area if required, however I would like to wait until I get to the gong in December so I can sit down face to face with some local riders and have a chat about what is, and isn't possible.
Some of the information above was provided to me by request from a trailbuilder that has had a lot of national success and I am currently requesting as much tuition in trail building advocacy so I can help out when I get up there.
If you have any specific ideas just keep throwing them up here because a sustainable trail network is something we all want, and even though they probably don't realise it, so do the non-riding locals. And all the feedback and conversation we can generate the better.
