Plenty Gorge Park - discussions with Parks Vic
The Ranger in Charge at Plenty Gorge Park has initiated discussions about MTB in the area.
I indicated that I am interested in coordinating discussions between interested mountain-bikers and Parks Vic, and also in consolidating the process for use statewide. The Ranger said that Parks Vic is currently developing guidelines for mountain-biking in their lands - but even without those guidelines in place yet, we should be starting talks ourselves. I made mention of the similar issues at Smiths Gully, Westerfolds & Candlebark Parks, and how it would be better if the same approach could be taken across the whole state by Parks Vic and MTBers alike. Barry said that he would try to include the Rangers for Westerfolds & Smiths Gully in discussions when considering how best to move forward in the short term.
The Parks Vic Regional Planner, Garry French, who apparently has a 20-year history with Plenty Gorge, will also be present at a meeting which Barry hopes to schedule for a Saturday some time in the near future. The Ranger said that Garry was proactive in similar discussions in the past, but now has a role which is more aligned with getting something done about it. He asked if I could arrange for representatives from the various groups of mountain-bikers to be present at this meeting, and I said I would certainly do my best.
I believe that people we need on board include:
1. 'Cowpat',
2. The person/s who recently built trails around the eastern edge of the Park, near Oatlands Road,
3. George Couyant (who is currently handling negotiations at Hans Loop in Westerfolds/Candlebark),
4. Super Cycle Watsonia, Walkers Wheels & Cycle House,
5. Smiths Gully MBC, Yarra Ranges MBC, Murrindindi MBC, You Yangs MBC, Geelong MBC, Forrest MBC, and any other clubs who have been dealing with Parks Vic,
6. MTBA, IMBA.
Anyway, this is where we start. If you can provide me with contact details for any of the people or groups listed above, please pass them on by PM ASAP, so I can get them involved in this process. Same goes for the rest of us =)
Cheers,
--
Emerson (on behalf of MTB Melbourne)