Since 2015 National Parks and Wildlife Service has been working with Wollongong City Council and other stakeholders to provide a sustainable mountain bike track network that protects the environmental and cultural values of the Illawarra Escarpment and provides riding opportunities for mountain bike riders.
The demands and impacts of mountain biking on the Illawarra Escarpment continue to increase. Many tracks provide a good riding experience, but their condition, safety and sustainability vary greatly. The safety, environmental and cultural impacts of mountain bike tracks and ad hoc track development need to be addressed to ensure the activity is sustainable on the Illawarra Escarpment into the future.
In 2018 an initial concept plan followed by the Draft Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy sought to address the need for sustainable mountain biking at Mount Keira and Mount Kembla (stage one) and Balgownie (stage two). Public feedback on the strategy suggested that there needed to be greater consideration given to natural and cultural values and, in particular, to remove mountain bike tracks from Mount Keira.
In 2020, a revised network in the Mount Kembla area was developed that excluded Mount Keira. In June 2021, the Government announced funding for the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network that will enable National Parks and Wildlife Service to complete planning and assessment, finalise the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy and complete on-ground works.