Susanna Freymark
The mountain bike trails just out of town on Yongurra Road, Kyogle and within the Boorabee State Forest will be closed for two years for forestry harvesting.
While the Kyogle Mountain Bike Club knew this was coming, it does leave a hole for bike riders and schools that use the trails that have been created and maintained by volunteers.
Niels Jack from the club said they had been working with forestry.
“We operate under a specific land permit,” Niels said, much like other bike clubs on forestry land.
Still, after years of creating and maintaining bike trails, it’s hard for those who simply want to ride.
“It’s big knock for the club but it is not unexpected. Two years is a long time.”
The mountain bike club was started in 2019.
“It’s been a labour of love,” Niels said.
Neils said the club had been discussing other places to ride with the council.
“The council would like to buy their own land and build some trails,” he said.
At the August 10 Kyogle Council meeting, councillor Brett McNamara asked about the $50,000 the council has allocated for a planning study on bike trails. He asked if the council could support the mountain bike club to pivot and find a new location for trails.
Here is a summary of the council’s response that was incldued in the meeeting agenda:
The council released a tender for preparation of the Fairy Mount (Wogun) Master Plan in March this year with all quotes exceeding the available budget to deliver the project.
In April, the council was notified about the closure of the Boorabee State Forest for timber harvesting. Because of the uncertainty about the future of the trails at this location after forestry have finished, the council has paused project planning.
Council staff agree that a walking trail would still be of benefit to the town for recreation purposes and tourism.
So far, more than $22,000 has been spent on a Flora and Fauna Survey and Vegetation Management Plan – $5,610 was spent on an Aboriginal Cultural Assessment – and $21,915 remains in the budget.
The council has been talking with the Kyogle Mountain Biking Club members about their future aspirations. From that feedback, staff recommend the council engage a consultant to undertake a high-level feasibility study of alternative locations which may be suitable for homing mountain biking trails in and around Kyogle in future. At this stage, the council has not allocated a budget for this purpose.
There is plenty more to discuss about how the bike economy can benefit Kyogle.