Bike tracks in parks and bushland.

The Association is aware of the various bike track areas that have been constructed in Mosman, especially during this recent period of lockdown due to Covid. The issue is not isolated to Mosman.

ABOVE: Bike tracks on Middle Head crisscrossing through bushland, holes, jumps and tracks inevitably widened – all having an effect on the environment and other users of our parklands.

The kids are having the time of their lives constructing and reconstructing jumps for their bikes. They’ll remember these days as being full of adventure and comradeship.

We sympathise with both children in lockdown and their parents and have been admiring the children’s creativity and industry. However, they need to be aware of the effect they might have, both on the surrounding environment and on other users of the park.

Difference in community attitudes

Not surprisingly there is a difference in community attitudes to the bike areas. There are the attitudes of the parents whose children are constructing and using the bike areas, and there are other users – walkers, dog owners and nearby residents.

Criteria for Council’s consideration

Given that the need for an area for bikes is immediate and pressing, MPBA is requesting that Council considers the criteria that must be met in coming to its decisions about the appropriateness of a bike area. Adoption of a clear set of criteria will underpin a rigorous and transparent decision-making process.

The two criteria of particular concern to Mosman Parks & Bushland apply equally to temporary and permanent areas

• The Environment: Protecting the environment is fundamental and key.

• Public access: Parks are for everyone. Use of a park by one section of the community must accommodate safe access by the general public.

Site selection

MPBA is not attempting to select a site on Mosman Council land for use as a permanent bike area. If Council decides to proceed with a permanent bike area there should be a trial period. Depending on an evaluation of the success or failure of the trial, Council could proceed to a proposal for a permanent bike area. Council should engage the community in the decision making, possibly through a Plan of Management process.

Reid Park

Part of Reid Park is bing used as a temporary bike area. This temporary area could be used in an evaluation process for consideration of a permanent area. Even as a temporary area, criteria need to be applied and observed.

• The environment must be respected. No access tracks to the main bike area through the bushland slopes

• Public access for residents must be maintained. The beautiful rocky bushland beyond the bike area must continue to be safely accessible to walkers. (Bush regeneration teams have been awarded for their work in this area). For safety, bike and walking areas will need to be separated, dogs should be on leads in this section of the park, and safe and separate residential access needs to be respected.

Above: Read Park.

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust land

This land was fought for and won for the people of all Australia by community action. The rallying cry for the Headland Park was “Not just for Mosman, not just for Sydney, but for all Australians”.

The recent Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Amendment Act 2021 creates a Trust in perpetuity. The lands will continue to be held by the Commonwealth of Australia in recognition of their national significance.

Constructing a bike track for the pleasure of local children might seem a small matter, but it diminishes the value of these iconic lands.

National Parks & Wildlife land

Some of the bushland in Sydney Harbour National Park would benefit from some bush regeneration. A principle held by Mosman Parks & Bushland is that no bushland, no matter how degraded, should ever be destroyed.

The bushland is not just Mosman’s. It is an integral part of our amazing Harbour. If we allow parts to be annexed, we lose an asset that supports an exceptional ecological system of birds, trees, and native flowers.

In an era of climate change and extinctions it is vital to protect it, both for current residents and future generations.

Brief comments on two Motions on Mosman Council meeting agenda - 7 September 2021

Read the two motions (p 220 and p222 of Mosman Council’s agenda) here >
[A full agenda is available on the Mosman Council website.]

Councillor Sherlock:

• We appreciate the inclusion of Mosplan’s Strategic Direction 3 – An Attractive and Sustainable Environment

• With school holidays beginning before the next Council meeting, some matters will need to be resolved well before that meeting

• Point 4 b) [re: critical risks and liabilities] - critical risks and liabilities should include those associated with shared use

Councillor Willoughby:

• We appreciate Councillor Willoughby’s concerns and respect for the children’s needs

• We are not qualified to comment on the adequacy or otherwise of Sutherland shire’s notice, but we have observed the need for dogs to be kept on leash in the area

• Point 5 [re: to encourage the establishment of a children’s bike track through land controlled or managed by Harbour Trust & NPWS] – is opposed

• Point 6 [re: Council facilitate some dirt deliveries] – would there be a liability to Council?

Kate Eccles OAM
President