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Hornsby Council Vote for Stringybark Ridge Wednesday night


Tristania's picture

By Tristania - Posted on 10 June 2015

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

I'm sorry that I won't be able to attend due to having an exam tomorrow and needing to maintain my sanity, but the Hornsby Council meeitng will be on tonight so anyone who can get themselves along I'm sure will be appreciated. Personally, I cannot believe the idiocy of some of these (so-called) "green" campaigners who somehow think that we're going to destroy the bush, deal drugs, make horrible amounts of noise by having tracks built in Stringybark Ridge (Is that what happened at OMV?). Apparently some dickhead has even recently gone around putting letterbox drops warning locals of this. (Ironic, hey - using all that paper in a response to protect the environment)

Here's what they say:

Council vote for Stringybark Ridge tomorrow night

"A correction from our previous email - the meetings starts at 6:30PM at Council Chamber (although there is a bit of general business prior to our item coming up). You can register on the night to talk (see lady at desk in Council chambers). As there will be a line of people there to speak against it. It would be good for some people to speak for the item. Campbell (who would normally get up and gas bag) is overseas and so cannot go. Any other willing victims are appreciated. If you do then please write to us and let us know what happened so that we can update everyone.
Points to make.
- there is an overwhelming need for this type of thing to meet our expanding population . When a site suitable for ovals becomes available we need to utilise it for the community.
- Mountain biking is recognised by NPWS in their Sustainable Mountain Biking Strategy as an appropriate way to enjoy the National Parks
- its a site that's been assessed as appropriate for mountain biking and sports fields

Northconnex seeking input

Northconnex want to hear from you about what you think of Northconnex filling the Hornsby Quarry. Write to them and tell them how special mountain biking is for you and how important it is to implement trail changes to ensure continuing operation of the trails. FYI there are some great solutions that can be implemented and Council are doing their best to work with Northconnex and implement them. Your feedback will help shape the revised Environmental Impact Statement that is due out shortly."

Original SNORC email:

Berowra Valley National Park and Hornsby Council's Position

"Hornsby Council have written a submission to the Draft Plan Of Management for Berowra Valley National Park. This submission supports the development of sporting facilities at Sringybark Ridge but it also asks that NPWS agree to work on providing sustainable mountain bike experiences in BVNP. It is going to be voted on by Councillors next Wednesday night at the Council meeting. We ask that you show your support for the proposed submission. It can be read at the following link.

READ THE PAPER HERE (it's on page 107)

Extract - "it is recommended that Council prepare a submission to the draft Plan supporting the establishment of sporting facilities at Stringybark Ridge and advocating for amendments to the draft Plan to encourage sustainable mountain biking within the BVNP."

As the population increase, our Council needs to invest in both organised and unstructured recreational facilities. But this is really tough because we are running out of space. In particular when so much of the land is National Park, we believe it's vital for NPWS to work with Councils to help meet community needs where they can do it in keeping with their policies and where their land is suitable. The NPWS Sustainable Mountain Biking Strategy prioritises co-operation between NPWS and neighbouring Councils to help facilitate sustainable mountain bike experiences. NPWS own studies have shown the BVNP is suited to this. So it's hard to understand why they have dropped it from the POM and pushed the responsibility onto Council. This isn't partnership and it's partnership that we need now more than ever (and partnership existed in the previous POM).

Stringybark Ridge was an old tip and then Pony Club. So it's a degraded site and perfect for organised sporting fields. In terms of cycling, NPWS developed a trail alignment and did a Review of Environmental Factors using the highest standards to ensure no endangered species or aboriginal heritage sites were impacted. The site was found to be well suited to a sustainable trail.

All sounding pretty good? Well unfortunately there is a major force trying to stop any recreational facilities being built. There are some extremely vocal and unfortunately violent objectors (a few of us have experienced it first hand) to anything being done at Stringybark Ridge. This group have used fear as well as false information to campaign against the mountain bike trails and the sports fields.

For me this goes beyond fighting for recreation. It's not easy standing up to difficult people and intimidation and most people avoid it like the plague. So when our government reps like local Council and Matt Kean are prepared to stand up and take it on I believe we need to get behind them and show them that we appreciate them fighting for us. It can make a big difference.

To do this -
1. Go along to the Council meeting next Wednesday night (7PM). If you are keen then register to say a few words in support of Council's submission.

2. Write to the local member Matt Kean and thank him for his support of the sports fields and mountain bike trails. Also tell him what mountain biking means to you.
hornsby@parliament.nsw.gov.au

3. Write to Hornsby Councillors to support their submission and also take the time to tell them what mountain biking means to you."
srussell@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
mgallagher@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
ntilbury@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
aanisse@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
nberman@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
rbrowne@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
gsingh@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
mhutchence@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
jcox@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
bazizi@hornsby.nsw.gov.au"

Also, from the FB page

"A major force is trying to stop any recreational facilities being built at Stringybark Ridge (the old Pony Club). There are some extremely vocal and unfortunately violent objectors to any progress at Stringybark Ridge. This group have used fear as well as false information to campaign against the mountain bike trails and the sports fields. Please come to the Hornsby Council Meeting this Wednesday to support "it is recommended that Council prepare a submission to the draft Plan supporting the establishment of sporting facilities at Stringybark Ridge and advocating for amendments to the draft Plan to encourage sustainable mountain biking within the BVNP." Link to Stringybark Ridge location.

Personally, I find the narrow-mindedness of some naive and/or selfish people appalling an we need to use the power of rational argument, good character and willingness to work together so that it is proven that these certain unnamed individuals are shown how incredulous their arguments are.
I'll be writing an email soon. Please join me.

jp's picture

I went to the Hornsby council meeting tonight where they voted on and passed the motion to support the NPWS draft POM for Berowra Valley Regional Park. In short, it's early days, but they will potentially develop sporting fields, a camp ground and mountain bike trails at Stringybark Ridge, Pennant Hills. I spoke in favour of the motion, along with a few sporting groups, but as expected there was a very large contingent of objectors. As a supporter of MTB I was well and truly outnumbered! Anyway, a good result, but a long way to go to get the trails constructed.

Shtark's picture

Thanks for the update jp. Good news, although as you say early days.

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