Mountain biking plan pushed back

It will be at least the middle of the year before any work is stared on the mountain bike plan – and that depends on whether money is allocated to the project.

Back in December 2021, the Administrator Rik Hart resolved that Council-under-administration would develop a Central Coast Mountain Biking Plan.

Councillors in 2020 had put off any decisions until a feasibility study was done.

By the time the study came back, the Council was under administration.

Interim administrator Dick Persson put it out for public discussion which took place in 2021.

It brought out both supporters and critics during the public consultation stage.

Mr Hart then endorsed the development of a Mountain Plan, adding the following:

“Council recognises the risk of harm to the environment, heritage, and public safety from unauthorised trail construction on Council land and that education, enforcement and trail closures will be an ongoing responsibility of Council in order to manage risks,” the resolution read.

“However improved outcomes for reserve management will be reliant on a proactive approach to increase supply at suitable sites due to limited enforcement resources and the size of the region.”

Development of the mountain biking plan was to be led by Council staff in collaboration with an “active stakeholder” working group.

That hasn’t happened yet.

The plan was to establish a strategic framework and select suitable sites, including investigating the feasibility of, and issues with, constructing dirt jumps on suitable Council land.

That hasn’t happened yet.

Mr Hart’s resolution stated that the project was to be considered for funding through Council’s budgetary processes.

The budgetary process “may include applying for external funding from grants, developer contributions or cost or service reductions”.

A council update to be tabled at the February 27 meeting says work has not progressed due to the “unavailability of funding”.

Staff have put it up for consideration for funding in Council’s 2024-25 draft budget which takes effect from July 1.

Mr Hart makes the final decision on the budget, which is probably adopted in June.

Meanwhile, the tabling of the airport master plan which was supposed to be adopted by the end of 2023 is now running six months’ behind schedule, according to the agenda papers for the upcoming February 27 meeting.