General News
24 September, 2024
Bike track plan still up in the air
A bike track campaigner says Horsham Rural City Council council has been stalling his efforts to have a bike and BMX circuit built for enthusiasts.
Jayden Simpson said council also had destroyed jumps built by youngsters, frustrated over lack of action or support from the authorities.
Mr Simpson said a petition was signed by hundreds of locals in 2012 urging the council to allow the jumps built at Burnt Creek to stay.
"But no, they destroyed them and disrespected it," he said.
Mr Simpson said the area at Burnt Creek was used by about 15 bike riders on any given Saturday and Sunday, and he represented a group of people who were wanting to do the work to see the concept move forward.
There are jumps there for skating, but he said they were nothing but "humps and rubbish".
"They (council) promised me back in 2014 they had $10,000 to redo the jumps - then they said they spent the money elsewhere," Mr Simpson said.
"But (they said) they had this big 2020 vision: they were going to build an Olympic BMX track there. It's now 2024 and there isn't s*it there but crumbled dirt."
Mr Simpson said the benefits of bike jumps and a track were obvious, including fitness and getting youngsters outside.
He said the riders who used the area at Burnt Creek were well-behaved and many held apprenticeships or played footy, and they just wanted something else to do in their spare time.
An email from council seen by the Horsham Times describes progress on the Burnt Creek track as "steady" and council was at one point conducting a comprehensive risk and insurance assessment.
HRCC director of communities and place Kevin O’Brien said: "There are a number of matters that need to be considered, such as the safety of the jumps as well as Aboriginal cultural heritage sensitivity and any flood overlays."