LAND MANAGER UPDATES IMPLEMENTATION OF GREATER HOBART MOUNTAIN BIKE MASTER PLAN MARCH 2015

Transcription

1 LAND MANAGER UPDATES IMPLEMENTATION OF GREATER HOBART MOUNTAIN BIKE MASTER PLAN MARCH 2015 City f Hbart (CH) Immediate wrks Radfrds Track Cnstructin wrk is cmplete, except installatin f replacement signage. Waiting fr WPMT t grade all tracks befre signs can be replaced. Tip Tp Track The track has nw been included in the Greater Hbart Trails website. Strickland Falls link The missing link between Rivulet Track t Middle Island Fire Trail has nt been pursued as a funding was nt received in 14/15. A funding submissin will be put in fr 16/17 based n track design. Chalet Dwnhill Track. A feasibility study will be prepared fr the cncept and will then be submitted t the Cuncil fr endrsement. The study will cmmence in April and is expected t be cmpleted by late July Old Farm Track the lwer half f the Chalet DH Track cncept is t include an alteratin f Old Farm Track frm its current bi-directinal shared use psitin t a dwnhill nly track fr muntain bike riders. A planning applicatin was submitted t the Trust in late February. The Trust has advised that it has apprved the prpsal. Assuming ther land managers within the Park apprve f the prpsal (Glenrchy CC, PWS, TasWater), a Wrk Permit will be prvided. It is intended t build the shrt extensin t Old Farm Track with MTB vlunteers by the end f May Nte that the Trust will need t grade all tracks within the Park befre the wrk can ccur. Middle Track (Radfrds Track t Reservir Trail) CH has funding prvided in the 14/15 budget t undertake wrks which will tighten up sme sectins and help passively manage straight-line speed n this trail as well as wrks t imprve drainage. Update - A planning applicatin was submitted t the Trust in late February t install chicanes t manage bike rider speed and t replace signage t advise f shared use. N further track repair wrk will be undertaken. The Trust advised that they have apprved the prpsal, pending apprval frm ther land managers within the Park (Glenrchy CC, PWS, TasWater). If the permit is prvided, the Cuncil intends n undertaking the wrks by June Nte that the Trust will need t grade all tracks within the Park befre the signage replacement wrk can ccur. The Trust stated that they will wrk with the Cuncil in preparing the parameters f the shared use trial. The Trust has nt prepared a draft f the trial yet. The Trust stated that they will fund and implement the trial.

2 The Trust has been advised that the Cuncil has prvided funding in 14/15 t install the chicanes and the replacement signage t manage the risks f share use n this track. The Trust have als been advised that if the wrks are nt undertaken in 14/15 as a result f the Trust s inactin, then given the Cuncil s internal funding prcess, funding will nt be able t be surced again until 16/17, at the earliest. # Cntinued frustratins were expressed by members f the cmmittee ver the Trust s lack f prgress in the develpment f the shared use trial. Fern Tree Park t Pillinger Drive CH has funding prvided in the 14/15 budget t undertake wrks which will tighten up sme sectins and help passively manage straight-line speed n this trail as well as wrks t imprve drainage. Update: Same details as Middle Track abve. S56 CH will receive funding in the 15/16 budget t undertake wrk t repair and frmalise this track. Twin Bridges The decking f the Twin Bridges is being widened and the handrail height increased t cater fr shared use. Cnstructin cmmenced n 2 nd March and is t be cmpleted by 28 th March. The Slides Track Funding has been gained in 15/16 t build The Slides Track. It is intended t wrk with MTB riders t design and build the track, alng similar lines t the methd used fr Tip Tp Track. Queens Dmain Summit Lp Funding has been gained in 15/16 t upgrade a number f track sectins belw the summit f the Dmain. This wrk is being undertaken in accrdance with the Queens Dmain Master Plan 2012 and the GH MTB Master Plan. It is envisaged this will frm a lp fr beginner t intermediate bike riders. Crssrads t TCA Western and Eastern Side Funding has been gained in 15/16 t upgrade the tracks that lead frm the Crssrads area t the TCA, n the western and eastern side f the Athletics Centre. This wrk is being undertaken in accrdance with a recmmendatin frm the Queens Dmain Master Plan It is envisaged this will frm a lp fr beginner t intermediate bike riders. Wishing Well Bridge (Pipeline Track) Funding has been gained in 15/16 t remve this narrw cncrete culvert and replace it with a ftbridge that caters fr shared use. Cascade Land Strategy Carltn & United Breweries, Cascade Brewery and the City f Hbart are undertaking a cllabrative prject that examines the values f the 250Ha Cascade Brewery estate as a whle, and then develps a lng-term plan that prgresses the shared bjectives fr the estate. The recreatinal values f the estate are a critical issue that is being examined, particularly as a number f ppular muntain bike tracks and cnnectins are lcated n Cascade land. Once a draft plan has been prepared in the secnd half f 2015, it will be presented t key stakehlders and cmmunity members, and additinal cmment n the draft plan will be invited at that time.

3 Track Care Grup - CH are in the prcess f creating a Track Care Grup which will cme under the umbrella f the Cuncil s Bushcare prgram. The intent f the grup is t frmalise the system fr vlunteer bike riders t wrk with the Cuncil in designing, building and maintaining tracks fr bike riding. Riders have been cntacted t ascertain their level f interest and quite a number have respnded psitively. It is envisaged that this grup will be asked if they are interested in wrking n an extensin t the Old Farm Track in 14/15 and the design and cnstructin f the Slides Track in 15/16. Pipeline Track Shared-Use - CH have been trialling shared use n the sectin f Pipeline Track between Halls Saddle and McDermtts Saddle fr just under tw years, and have been undertaking surveys f track users during March. A reprt will be submitted t the Cuncil shrtly with the utcmes f the shared use trial fr their cnsideratin t adpting shared use n a permanent basis. Kingbrugh Cuncil (KC) Kingbrugh MTB Park Wrk is being dne t ensure that the park remains in gd cnditin with funding submissins being prepared (t Cuncil) fr regular maintenance and materials fr the parks nging upkeep. Clarence City Cuncil (CCC) Immediate wrks Pilchers Hill - The Meehan Range Trail Grmers are wrking n a new single directin descent track in Pilchers Hill Reserve as the Pilchers Hill Track is ne-way uphill nly and the Caves Hill Track will be made ne way uphill nly. Clarence MTB Park The Caretaker Prgram, in cnjunctin with the vlunteer trail builder prgram, have been wrking hard in the park and surrunding area. New signage has been installed at trail heads at the park entrance and further signage will be installed at intersectins ver the upcming mnths. (pht) Smth as Butter (beginners) The first stage f this 2km beginners lp track by the Tasman Hwy has been cnstructed and is nw signed. Crkscrew Climb & Descent (Intermediate) The Green Crps built trail has been reruted in the lwer sectins and new trail cnstructed t imprve the experience. A new track has been cnstructed by vlunteers t prvide a link between the CMBP and the PWS Redgate Sectin which bypasses Belbins Rad radway. The Meehan Mnster event was held in the park last Octber. Risdn Vale Tracks The Risdn Vale Bike Cllective has cnstructed a new lp track n Cuncil land near the Grasstree Hill Rivulet (phts) Tangara Trail Clear Lagn Track - The bardwalk n the Clear Lagn Track ver the bggy sectin between Farnaby Place and Deeprse Way will be elevated s it isn t submerged after heavy rain

4 Dirty Bridge Creek Track - A trail cnnectin has been prvided between Schl Rad and Germaine Curt in Sandfrd. Mrtimer Bay Castal Trail - Apprval has been given t extend the track frm Baragla Lane t Palana Curt. Cnstructin will cmmence later in the year Planning wrks Pilchers Hill - A new track cnnectin is being planned frm Pilchers Hill, arund the back f Caves Hill, t jin up with tracks frm Belbins Rd. Waiting n a licence agreement with landwner. Meehan Range A draft Meehan Range Strategic Plan is being finalised (which is being crdinated by Dirt Art). Once it has been apprved fr cnsultatin by PWS and CCC it will be presented t stakehlders fr feedback. It includes Clarence MTB Park, Belbins Rd area, Pilchers Hill area and Risdn Vale. Clarence Muntain Bike Park - A budget submissin has been made t extend the dual directin sectin at the tp f the Crkscrew Track t the start f the dwnhill track which will bypass a steep sectin f fire trail (apprx. 300m). There are plans t turn the dwnhill track int a descending track because f the lack f shuttle access t the tp and a desire t make it cater fr a wider range f riders. Clarence MTB Park: Signage Risdn Vale new tracks

5 Glenrchy City Cuncil (GCC) Glenrchy MTB Park 4 x new park benches and a water filling statin t be installed in the MTB Park befre June 2015 Currently undertaking tree assessment f all Glenrchy MTB Park trails t manage tree fall risk t riders Maintenance wrk undertaken n the Nrth Suth descent int the MTB Park frm the 5 ways junctin Rerute f the Access track frm the main park hub up t the Water Fire Trail adjacent t the lwer pine sectin f the Natinal Dwnhill Track Persistent drainage issue n Nrth Suth descent at the park hub fixed We are 17 days shrt f having a years wrth f data n sme f the track use in the Glenrchy Muntain Bike Park. Quite impressive, an pprtunity t cmpare this asset t ther recreatin facilities arund GCC. Here are sme f the stats as at yesterday 11/03/2015: Cunter 1 (n Fire Trail leading up t park hub) TOTAL COUNTS: 27,380 AVERAGE PER DAY: 78.7 including dg walkers, riders, Taswater and GCC staff etc. Cunter 2 (XC ascent t Water FT) TOTAL COUNTS: 5031 AVERAGE PER DAY: 14.5 Single track 1 directin XC riders Cunter 3 (XC ascent frm Water FT t 5 Ways Jnc) TOTAL COUNTS: 4569 AVERAGE PER DAY: 13.1 Single track 1 directin XC riders Cunter 4 (Nrth Suth/XC descent belw Water FT) TOTAL COUNTS: 7847 AVERAGE PER DAY: 22.5 Single track 1 directin XC riders Wellingtn Park Management Trust (WPMT) Track Cnversins The Wellingtn Park Management Trust has apprved a prpsal frm Hbart City Cuncil t cnvert Old Farm Track frm shared use t single use (muntain bike nly) and the wrks required fr the cnversin, including a new sectin f track t cnnect Old Farm Track directly t the Main Fire Trail (see attached). The Trust has als apprved the cnversin f the Lwer Fern Glade Track and the upper prtin f Middle Track frm single use (walkers nly) t shared use n a trial basis. The cnversin will be part f an assessment f the envirnmental and scial impacts f the Track cnversins recmmended in the GHMBMP. Mnitring Bikes n walking tracks: fair bit f schl hliday activity n FingerPst track between Pinnacle Rad intersectins and belw. Crssing O Grady s Fire Trail and high speed (and ignring my impsing presence). Als reprted lw usage f Lwer Sawmill Track; Increasing usage f upper Luge again. Track Grading prject WP is re-grading all track sectins accrding t Greater Hbart Trails system Very Easy Easy Mderate Difficult- Very Difficult, ahead f new signage in HCC area. There will be separate grading fr muntain bikes and walkers.

6 Input n sme sectins is being sught by lng time walkers and riders. I wuld like this grup s input and will be shwing relevant sectins n ARCGIS nline at the meeting (ipad prbably) Track Care prgram Ranger IDing prspective building and maintenance prjects n WP bike/shared use tracks fr HCC TrackCare prgram under develpment by Lisa Cawthen Eg N-S Track: Paving shrt sectins (nly where ersin is an issue). Als lking at replacing/imprving/restring/upgrading TTFs. Questins fr the grup Discussin n hw t mnitr r gather infrmatin abut the effects f the Nrthern/Nrth Eastern track impacts n lcal and reginal and even state ecnmy/envirnment/cmmunity? Generally existing data is used rather than cllecting new data. Other Business The GH MTB Master Plan recmmends a part-time prject fficer t fully realise the bjectives f the Master Plan such as implementing the recmmended reginal apprach t trail develpment and marketing and attractin f muntain biking events t greater Hbart. The Hbart City Cuncil requested that the cmmittee cnsider this initiative. The steering cmmittee agreed that there wuld be a ptential need fr a prject fficer t undertake this rle fr a defined perid f time, likely t be fcussed n seeking external funding nce the planning fr a number f significant prjects has been prgressed (i.e. WPMT s Epic, CH Chalet DH, CCC Meehan Range Strategic Plan) hwever the ideal timing wuld nt be until the 2016/17 r mre likely the 2017/18 financial year. The cmmittee agreed that it was imprtant fr significant prjects t be implemented n the grund prir befre emplying a prject fficer.