Published on Tuesday, 16 June 2020 at 11:52:10 AM
The City is urging locals to stop cutting illegal mountain bike tracks in the Chapman River Regional Park or the future use of the area for cycling activities will be at risk.
City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ross McKim said the delicate balance between conserving the environmentally and culturally sensitive reserve and enabling recreational activities in the area must be maintained.
“The 11km long shared loop trail throughout the Park was formalised a couple of years ago in consultation with the community to ensure visitors can walk or ride bikes in the reserve without impacting the fauna and wildlife,” he said.
“Community groups and various organisations have been working together with the City for years to restore degraded areas of the park and conserve its unique flora and fauna.
“It is extremely disappointing to see this hard work being undone by a few locals cutting new, dangerous mountain bike tracks in the Park.
Chapman River Friends Coordinator Virginie Fuhrmann said the Park needs to be preserved for future generations.
“At 364ha, the Chapman River Regional Park is the largest natural bushland within the City. It is a highly valuable environment where we can enjoy outdoors activities while respecting the wildlife. Preserving such an asset is key for the Geraldton’s community and future generations,” she said.
Geraldton Mountain Bike Club President Paul Spackman said new tracks weren’t needed.
"As a club we want to maintain and work with what the City has developed and thus care for the local ecosystem. We have a great track and it is really unnecessary to be making new tracks,” he said.
To ensure community safety and the protection of the environment, the City will be rehabilitating these tracks. If anyone witnesses people constructing new trails in the Park or river corridor, please report these activities to the City on 9956 6600
PICTURE CAPTION: Dangerous mountain bike track illegally cut in the Chapman River Regional Park.
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