The future of an informal bike jump track built by teenagers in an Engadine reserve is due to be decided at the next meeting of Sutherland Shire Council.
The council has received complaints the facilities are damaging Lantana Road Reserve, where a bush regeneration program is under way and a bushcare group is active.
However, council staff have recommended the track be maintained, monitored and, if necessary, action taken to mitigate risks to riders and minimise any damage to the environment.
Two other options, involving the construction of new facilities, would involve an outlay of $5000 to $30,000, depending on the size and scale, and ongoing maintenance costs.
The staff report said, from time to time, council removed such tracks, but often the facilities re-appeared later at the same location or elsewhere.
There was an opportunity in this case to “re-think” the traditional approach to removing them.
“A solution that is developed for Lantana Reserve could serve as a precedent for the management of the issue in similar sites,” the report said.
“Such facilities do help develop gross motor skills and encourage more children to engage in physical activity.
“Encouraging children to exercise through their school years may also help them to form positive long-term habits to take into adulthood.”
The report said the council had been criticised after destroying other informal bike tracks in the Engadine area.
“In this case, there is a need to heed the appreciation expressed by a large cross section of the community for active lifestyles, the benefits of the outdoors and use of parks and facilities for a multitude of purposes, while tempering the understandable preference of a few,” the report said.
