Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Project

The Draft Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy was placed on public exhibition from 30 October 2018 to 21 December 2018. A total of 956 submissions were received from a broad range of stakeholders, including the NSW Government, non-government organisations and private individuals.

We amended the draft strategy to reflect the concerns around the cultural significance of Mount Keira. National Parks and Wildlife Service and Wollongong City Council identified an alternative area to develop a mountain bike network between Mount Keira and Mount Kembla that provides an alternative to Mount Keira for mountain biking. National Parks and Wildlife Service is also committed to closing and rehabilitating mountain bike tracks on Mount Keira.

In December 2022, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the council endorsed the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy. The strategy is the document that provides permissibility of mountain biking on the escarpment. The document outlines the project context, approval pathways and legislation, network extents, track closure and rehabilitation, accessibility, signage and the framework for an operation and management plan for mountain biking on the Illawarra Escarpment.

National Parks and Wildlife Service engaged Niche Environment and Heritage to prepare the review of environmental factors for the mountain bike network on national park land between Harry Graham Drive near O'Brien's Drift and Mount Kembla.

The draft review of environmental factors was exhibited for public comment from 20 June to 18 July 2022. After reviewing the submissions, we made amendments to the draft review of environmental factors. In November 2022, National Parks and Wildlife Service submitted the final review of environmental factors for determination.

Environmental and cultural heritage assessments are being completed for a planned 25 kilometres of mountain bike tracks for the Balgownie network. The draft review of environmental factors will be placed on public exhibition for community comment in early 2023.

National Parks and Wildlife Service and Wollongong City Council have established the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Advisory Group. The group's purpose is to identify issues and opportunities, enable consistent collaboration with key stakeholders, provide a channel for community input, ensure project objectives are met, and ensure timely and effective information exchange between stakeholder organisations, the local community, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the council.

Membership of the group reflects a broad range of business, risk and technical skills to provide advice on the planning assessment and strategy. The group includes the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council, Destination Wollongong, Destination Sydney Surround South, Office of Sport, Water NSW, Sydney Water, Illawarra Escarpment Alliance, National Parks Association, Illawarra Mountain Bike Alliance, Trail Care and a community representative from Mount Kembla.

Aboriginal stakeholders are also represented in this group. We have engaged the Aboriginal community in the cultural heritage assessment of the proposed mountain bike network between Harry Graham Drive near O'Brien's Drift, Mount Kembla and Balgownie. Consultation with the Aboriginal community is ongoing to ensure their views in planning and assessment are considered in developing an appropriate and sustainable mountain bike track network on the Illawarra Escarpment.

Wollongong City Council will continue to engage with stakeholders to inform project planning, assessment and establishment of 'off park' infrastructure required to support the mountain bike track network, such as parking and amenities.

The Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Project: draft review of environmental factors for Mount Kembla public exhibition period ended on 18 July 2022. A submissions report was prepared and amendments were made to the draft review of environmental factors based on submissions received during the public exhibition period. The final review of environmental factors has been submitted for determination.

National Parks and Wildlife Service are preparing a plan to close and rehabilitate unsanctioned tracks not included in the strategy's network. The plan will identify a staged approach to closing and rehabilitating tracks, including the removal of structures, revegetation, erosion control work and a monitoring program.

Will the mountain bike network include Mount Keira?

Mountain biking on Mount Keira is not appropriate, given the cultural significance, geological instability and high natural conservation values. We have identified a network south of Mount Keira to the Mount Kembla area as an alternative option to Mount Keira.

Managing the mountain bike track network

The governance arrangements and roles of National Parks and Wildlife Service and Wollongong City Council in managing the track network have not been determined. National Parks and Wildlife Service and the council are exploring all options, including ways to involve mountain bike organisations, local businesses and riders in track management and compliance.

How is the network going to be sustainable?

The process of developing a sustainable mountain bike network considers the experience of riders, visitor safety, working with the natural and cultural features of the landscape to best manage water runoff, minimise erosion, protect and conserve the natural environment and cultural sites. In some areas, it may be necessary to install features such as bridges, raised platforms, rock armouring and stonework, similar to walking track construction.

A well-designed and built mountain bike track network can reduce the ongoing cost and resources necessary for land managers to maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for riders.

The Cycling policy, Cycling strategy and Guidelines for implementation guide how we manage cycling experiences in our reserves and our approach to providing sustainable mountain bike tracks.

Making sure cyclists stay on the tracks

Responsible social behaviour will be promoted through signage, education and partnering with stakeholders representing mountain bike riders to develop a positive culture of doing the right thing. This will include signage and information on the Aboriginal cultural significance of the area.

What will happen to the existing tracks that are not proposed to be part of the mountain bike strategy?

Over time, all existing unauthorised mountain bike tracks that are not formalised into the mountain bike track network in the strategy will be closed and rehabilitated. The rehabilitation plan will provide detail on how this will be done.