How will Council protect the critically endangered ecological communities and threatened species in the area?

The preservation of critically endangered ecological communities and threatened species is essential to conserving the natural heritage of the area. The Master Plan has sought to deliver the advanced, intermediate and beginner mountain biking trail experience that is provided by the unsanctioned trails, noting that there is a need to protect high value biodiversity on the site.

Any residual impacts from the potential development and uses of the site will be subject to rigorous environmental assessment, consistent with legislation. According to the Master Plan, this includes the removal, relocation, upgrade and formalisation of existing unsanctioned mountain bike trails and the construction of roads and enabling infrastructure (e.g., retaining walls) for the sportsfields development.

All planning and design in these areas has employed the principles of ‘avoid, minimise and mitigate’ impacts to ensure the long-term protection of the ecologically sensitive areas, while still providing a quality recreational user experience. Further, in line with the Plan of Management, additional and ongoing restoration of the bushland will occur through a combination of revegetation and bush regeneration activities.