Yarra Ranges Council - Mountain Bike Project
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Hi <<First Name>>
This is a follow up email regarding the Yarra Ranges Council plan to build a 177 kilometre network of mountain bike trails, a number of which cross the Yarra Ranges National Park. Just a reminder that the closing date to have your say is Tuesday 25 January.
From a bushwalking tracks and bushwalker safety perspective, David Bartlett, Project Officer with the Yarra Ranges Council advises:-
“There will be no loss of any existing formal walking trails as part of the project. Where mountain bike trails intersect with walking trails, tracks or roads, specific designs will be used to physically slow riders to ensure they approach the intersection at an appropriate speed. Treatments will include things such as chicanes, narrow squeezes and barriers. Signage will also be in place for all users to warn of the intersection and reinforce appropriate behaviour.”
While these assurances have been provided for our bushwalking pursuits and walker safety, what is the environmental cost?
Bushwalking Victoria has previously circulated the Victorian National Parks Association information package which provided details on how to make a submission and outlined the many issues it had identified with the project from an environmental standpoint.
The Warburton Environment group's perspective is also worth considering if you plan to make a submission. The group claims that the project should not go ahead as planned as it will:
- Exacerbate biodiversity loss in the region and the proposed trails in the Yarra Ranges National Park should be located elsewhere.
- The project will significantly increase bushfire risk to the community. The project proponent has underplayed the bushfire risk by not rating the area as EXTREME (which it is rated by both the CFA and DELWP). In the EES documents 3.3.4 1. PSA Planning Report and 7.3.1 Bushfire Assessment Report, states, "The project area is within a relatively high-risk location of rugged forested area, with steep slopes, vegetation that is likely to carry a fire and has limited access for emergency vehicles."
- The project will significantly decrease liveability in the Warburton region and the project proponents have underestimated the social impacts.
You can access the project Environment Effects Statement here and make a submission through the Engage Victoria page.
Thank you
Regards
Peter Maffei
Convener
Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation Volunteers (BTAC)
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