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Mountain Bike Trail Supporting Infrastructure in Kembla Heights

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Consultation has concluded

Since 2015, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have been working with Wollongong City Council and other stakeholders to provide a sustainable mountain bike network that protects the environmental and cultural values of the Illawarra Escarpment, while providing a suitable mountain bike experience for riders. We’re partnering with NPWS to investigate and deliver supporting infrastructure for the trails. This includes toilets, bins, transport, road crossings and parking. There is an opportunity for you to be part of our planning for this.

What’s happened so far
In June 2021, the Government announced funding for the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network to enable NPWS to complete planning and assessments, finalise the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy and begin on-ground works. In late 2022 following extensive community consultation, the Strategy was adopted. You can read more about this on the NPWS website.

NPWS will soon award the tender for the Mount Kembla section of the trail and these works will start from May 2023. Visit the NPWS website for more information and to subscribe to their updates.

We’ve been having conversations with people in the Mount Kembla and Kembla Heights community since 2021 about what types of supporting infrastructure might be needed to support the trail network and where it could be located. The aim of the supporting infrastructure and amenities is to minimise impacts on residents and create safe and accessible riding experiences. To create this draft concept plan, we’ve used that feedback, as well as a traffic study that looks at transport and how people arrive to and leave the site. This draft plan focuses on the area where NPWS are doing the first stage of works. NPWS are still working through further planning and approvals for the other sections of the network. When we have more information about those, we’ll update you and seek your input.

What’s next: share your thoughts on the draft concept plan
We’d like to hear what you think of what’s proposed in the draft concept plan for supporting infrastructure in Kembla Heights, such as toilets and parking. Check out the draft plan and read the FAQ that explains what’s happened and when it’ll happen. You can ask us questions and share your thoughts on the draft plan.

You can ask questions or share feedback with us by:

Submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council’s Privacy Notification before submitting your responses. Feedback and questions must be submitted by 8 May 2023. We will continue to update the community as we progress with this project.

Accessibility or language assistance

If you’re d/Deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number (02) 4227 7111 for either service.

Since 2015, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have been working with Wollongong City Council and other stakeholders to provide a sustainable mountain bike network that protects the environmental and cultural values of the Illawarra Escarpment, while providing a suitable mountain bike experience for riders. We’re partnering with NPWS to investigate and deliver supporting infrastructure for the trails. This includes toilets, bins, transport, road crossings and parking. There is an opportunity for you to be part of our planning for this.

What’s happened so far
In June 2021, the Government announced funding for the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network to enable NPWS to complete planning and assessments, finalise the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy and begin on-ground works. In late 2022 following extensive community consultation, the Strategy was adopted. You can read more about this on the NPWS website.

NPWS will soon award the tender for the Mount Kembla section of the trail and these works will start from May 2023. Visit the NPWS website for more information and to subscribe to their updates.

We’ve been having conversations with people in the Mount Kembla and Kembla Heights community since 2021 about what types of supporting infrastructure might be needed to support the trail network and where it could be located. The aim of the supporting infrastructure and amenities is to minimise impacts on residents and create safe and accessible riding experiences. To create this draft concept plan, we’ve used that feedback, as well as a traffic study that looks at transport and how people arrive to and leave the site. This draft plan focuses on the area where NPWS are doing the first stage of works. NPWS are still working through further planning and approvals for the other sections of the network. When we have more information about those, we’ll update you and seek your input.

What’s next: share your thoughts on the draft concept plan
We’d like to hear what you think of what’s proposed in the draft concept plan for supporting infrastructure in Kembla Heights, such as toilets and parking. Check out the draft plan and read the FAQ that explains what’s happened and when it’ll happen. You can ask us questions and share your thoughts on the draft plan.

You can ask questions or share feedback with us by:

Submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council’s Privacy Notification before submitting your responses. Feedback and questions must be submitted by 8 May 2023. We will continue to update the community as we progress with this project.

Accessibility or language assistance

If you’re d/Deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number (02) 4227 7111 for either service.

Consultation has concluded

  • Update December 2023 - NPWS Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Project

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    National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Synergy Trails are making progress on the mountain bike track network construction at Mount Kembla. Since August 2023 there has been 2km of track under construction, with detailed survey complete for 12km of track in preparation for work commencement, which is continuing over the summer holiday period.

    It remains important that people stay off the tracks while they are under construction.

    While the mostly mild weather experienced recently has helped construction, compaction of the track surface is ongoing to ensure it can sustain the predicted number of riders and reduces future management and maintenance of the track.

    NPWS have included a couple of images to give you a sense of the work going on.

    NPWS are seeking the support of cyclists to be actively involved in the ongoing management and maintenance of the new networks at Mount Kembla and Balgownie and the rehabilitation works at Mount Keira.

    If you’d like to participate in future events please register by sending an email to: npws.illwarrahighlands@environment.nsw.gov.au


  • Conversations with our community

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    Thanks to all who took the time to share their thoughts on the draft concept plan. Here’s the Engagement Summary which provides a snapshot of what we heard and how it was considered. Full details of the engagement are available to read in the Engagement Report.