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Letter Campaign for HSMBA and Northern Sydney Trails
The HSMBA has been successfully campaigning for trails in Northern Sydney and have been going really well but are meeting opposition of late and need to have a lettwer writing campain. NOBMOBers are probably aware of this others aren't.
For details check out....
So write a letter... it doesn't need to be long, the people just need to see there is support!
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RE: Mountain Bike Access
From: Minister Sartor's Office
Sent: Friday, 21 May 2010 10:02:43 AM
To: Climb Time
Dear Mr David
Thank you for writing to the Hon Frank Sartor, MP, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer). Minister Sartor has asked that I acknowledge receipt of your correspondence.
The Minister appreciates the time you have taken to put your concern in writing and advises that the issues you have raised will be given due consideration.
______________________________________________
Office of The Hon Frank Sartor MP
Minister for Climate Change and the Environment and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer)
( (02) 9228 5811 7 (02) 9228 5499 * Level 35 GMT, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney 2000 : office@sartor.minister.nsw.gov.au
Please consider the environment before printing this email
This message is intended for the addressee named and may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete it and notify the sender. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and are not necessarily the views of the Department
From: Climb Time
Posted At: Thursday, 20 May 2010 10:43 PM
Posted To: SA_Office_Email
Conversation: Mountain Bike Access
Subject: Mountain Bike Access
Dear Leaders
I am writing to express both my thanks and support for continued efforts into moving towards recognition of Mountain Bike users as legitimate trail users within our National Parks and Conservation Reserves in Sydney and more broadly throughout New South Wales.
I have attended a number of workshops and community based discussions such as those held by "Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon" and I have been encouraged by the open dialogue between passionate, yet increasingly opened minded stakeholder groups. I believe mountain bikers can learn many things from these conservationist groups, whilst also demonstrating that we all have common ground that can foster more inclusive interaction and cooperation between our groups and the broader community. Both stakeholder groups enjoyment of our natural heritage, and our willingness to contribute volunteer labour in order to design, construct and maintain sustainable trails to better conserve our bush lands and trails, are obvious rallying points that you, our leaders can use to bring seemingly divergent groups together.
I am encouraged by the momentum we have been able to build following the NPWS Sustainable Cycling and Mountain Biking Workshop and the recent IMBA Australia Sustainable trails workshops. However, NPWS staff on the ground, now need clarity and direction from you, so that regional issues can be better managed and legitimate track care programs can be implemented to allow volunteers to develop a sense of ownership over their trails and parks.
Direction at your levels, provides legitimacy, via supportive policy, which is crucial to both diffuse seeming conflict, and allows trail builders, NPWS and local council staff and volunteers to invest their time and effort into constructing sustainable trails.
Providing legitimacy is essential for sustainable trail construction as it provides for a longer term view. Unapproved trails are built with a short term view, with limited resources, and therefore built unsustainably. These "illegitimate trails" works against all our objectives and only perpetuates the current "no access" paradigm, which works against all our objectives of environmental conservation, increased visitations and enjoyment via sustainable means.
I understand that you will not be across all the issues and details, however, I trust that you recognise the merits of legitimate and sustainable trails, whilst also acknowledging that regional land managers and staff are better equipped to assess the suitability of implementing approved track care programs. The direction you must provide is to broadly accept that sustainable trail design, construction and maintenance via volunteer labour, along with a level of discretion at regional management level, is what is needed to move forward, to the benefit of the broader majority.
Thank you for your time
With thanks
I liked the repeated use of Single track ... be interested to know if this is a form response of sorts
Mountain Biking in National Parks
From: DDG - Parks
Sent: Tuesday, 25 May 2010 3:11:42 PM
To: climb_time
Dear Mr David
Thank you for your recent email regarding mountain biking in National Parks.
For many years the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has welcomed visitors and supported their recreational aspirations while protecting the conservation values of the parks and reserves. We recognise that bike riding and mountain biking riding in particular is growing in popularity. Bike riding can be good for the environment and good for people’s health and therefore community wellbeing. It is also another way of connecting people to nature and if managed carefully can link to the intent of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
We do however need to be clearer about how and where mountain biking should occur and then how potential impacts should be considered and managed on a park by park basis. I can confirm that the NPWS is finalising a discussion paper that not only reviews our current Cycling Policy but also develops a Sustainable Mountain Biking Strategy for NSW National Parks.
The paper is substantially informed by meetings with representatives from northern Sydney mountain biking groups and networks and a workshop held with a broader range of stakeholders including environment groups. My hope is that through a community consultation process we will be able to establish an agreed direction on the provision of mountain biking in national parks and reserves. The paper will include recognition of the high demand for riding on singletrack, while ensuring that protection of the natural and cultural values of our national parks remains pre-eminent.
On the local front, Northern Sydney parks staff have met with World Trails to plan three possible singletrack mountain bike tracks in three different areas. I have asked staff to continue talking with representatives from the mountain bike fraternity on these trails. I understand they have hosted a World Trail workshop with representatives from a number of user groups including bike riders and conservation groups. They have also conducted a workshop with land managers within the region to facilitate cross tenure mountain bike trails for all technical abilities.
The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 requires that all activities in national parks are carried out in accordance with the relevant plan of management. Most current plans of management, including those for parks in northern Sydney, do not permit the creation of singletrack mountain bike tracks. Consultation with representatives from mountain bike groups and networks has suggested that Garigal National Park has strong potential for the installation of environmentally sensitive singletrack. NPWS is investigating potential routes and design specifications for an appropriate section of singletrack within Garigal National Park. I expect that work will commence shortly upon the environmental impact assessment and a possible plan of management amendment processes - both of which are required for any such changes to activity within a national park. The proposed amendment to the plan of management will involve public exhibition and review by the Regional Advisory Committee and National Parks & Wildlife Advisory Council.
A proactive approach to mountain biking is further advanced at Glenrock State Conservation Area near Newcastle. I have attached a link that illustrates the partnership with the community. The National Parks & Wildlife Advisory Council recently visited the park and specifically commented on the collaborative approach taken by our staff to work with various groups to get the best recreation and conservation outcomes. http://www.twentysixinches.com/2010/glenrock-vol...
I trust this reassures you of progress that the NPWS is making on this issue. I encourage you to continue your involvement and input through the consultation processes.
Yours sincerely
Sally Barnes
Did mine last week, and I still got to go for a ride. So do it now!!!
On May 25 I received the same email word for word
At least they get enough emails to have a well thought out form response.