WITH feedback recently closing in regards to the Mitchell Shire’s BMX, mountain bike and skate strategy, members of the Kilmore and District Residents and Ratepayers Association are hoping the plan helps put forward a solution to help protect Monument Hill’s nature.
The reserve has been plagued for years by mountain bike riders drifting away from the formal pathways, threatening local fauna and flora, and said that has come despite Council putting up signs warning thrillseekers to stay away from the offroad sections, saying they are putting themselves at risk by riding away from the track.
Norm Stimson, a retired former employee of the former Department of Environment Land Water and Planning and a qualified land assessor, said the new strategy was a positive, hoping that it would help keep Monument Hill protected in the long run.
“I have a fond association with Monument Hill. It is a problem with the mountain bike that is happening at the moment. It’s a conservation reserve, so primarily, its management and protection should be for the natural values of the reserve, although it has a big recreation context as well,” he said.
“The actual reserve has its own formal walking, cycling and horse-riding tracks. Cyclists are allowed to use the formal tracks, but going offroad and into the bush creates conservation and protection problems, especially digging illegal informal bicycle jumps and developing illegal informal trails.
“The reserve is managed by Mitchell Shire Council as the committee of management, so it’s their responsibility to look after it. The strategy looks at mountain bike riding, BMX and skating across the whole municipality, not just Monument Hill, which is a good thing they are doing.
“For Monument Hill, the draft strategy proposes no formalised dedicated mountain bike tracks or jumps, however recommends a “phase out” of these illegal jumps and tracks over an unspecified time frame. The jumps and tracks are causing significant damage to the reserve and its environmental values, are illegal, and so immediate action is required.”
Feedback for the draft Mitchell Shire Council BMX, mountain bike and skate strategy closed on June 1, with the Council currently putting together its final strategy based on resident feedback.
“After the consultation period closes, we’ll review and consider all feedback received to help refine and finalise the Strategy. We’ll report back to the community via the Engaging Mitchell platform and email those who provided feedback,” Council says on the draft page.
“The Strategy includes a costed implementation plan and will support future funding applications for delivering the recommended projects over time.”