Bicycle Network: Directory

Mount Alexander riders - drafting of council Budget 2013/14 underway

05 March 2013. As you read this Council is preparing its draft 2013/14 Budget. The time to act is now for more bike infrastructure funding!

As a ratepayer and rider now is the time for Council to hear from you if you want more funding to improve the local riding environment.

Click here to tell your Council to invest in bike infrastructure (E-mail contact for Council provided) in the 2013/14 Budget.

Stay on track, or purse will suffer

30 November 2009. Mountain bike riders who damage a rare and endangered plant in Mount Alexander Regional Park could find themselves $55,000 lighter in the purse.

Ballantinia antipode, more commonly known as Southern Shepherds Purse, was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the Park close to Castlemaine in 1983. The small annual native plant grows on moist moss mats attached to granite rock surfaces and can be identified by minuscule white flowers on its upper stems.

However, some mountain bike riders in Mount Alexander Regional Park have been creating new trails down granite rock surfaces, destroying the rare and delicate plant.

This is a major no-no and could lead to mountain bike riders being excluded from sensitive areas. Bike riders have a responsibility to improve the environment in which they ride, not damage it

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria are increasing patrols and surveillance to detect the offenders.

Parks Victoria Ranger in Charge of Northern Goldfields, David Major, said most mountain bike riders in the Park do the right thing.

“We have a great relationship with the Central Victorian Mountain Bike Association and have worked with their members to educate them about the plant and how their activities can adversely affect it,” Mr Major said.

“However, it takes just a few thoughtless riders to destroy this endangered plant and wipe it off the face of the planet,” he said.

DSE Threatened Species Project Officer, Terri Williams, said the Southern Shepherds Purse is protected by law and the fines for individuals for destroying the plant or having a significant impact on it are up to $55,000.

“Mount Alexander Regional Park is the last place on earth this beautiful plant exists,” Ms Williams said.

“We encourage riders to use the tracks on Mount Tarrangower instead and leave this rare flora alone,” she said. 

Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park - Draft Management Plan

Aug 05. Parks Victoria has released the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park Draft Management Plan for public comment. The plan can be viewed at the Parks Victoria website.

The following reference is made to cycling in the draft plan:

6.6 Cycling and mountain bike

The park provides extensive opportunities for cycling and mountain bike riding. Cycling is permitted on all open roads and vehicular tracks, management vehicle tracks and designated shared walking tracks including

Strategies for visitors

There are some sections of the Great Dividing Trail that are steep, narrow or difficult for cyclists to traverse. Consequently, alternative cycling routes in these areas have been identified (table 5 and figures 3a, 3b and 3c). The 'Mountain Bike Code' sets out guidelines for safe cycling and methods to minimise the impacts of bicycle riding on park values (CNR 1993).

Aims

· Provide opportunities for cycling and mountain bike riding.

· Protect park values and avoid conflicts with the activities of other park visitors.

Management strategies

· Permit cycling and mountain bike riding on all open roads and vehicular tracks, management vehicle tracks and designated shared walking tracks in the park in accordance with tables 3 and 5.

· Design and promote official mountain bikeroutes in the park based on the existing road and track network, in consultation with the Great Dividing Trail Victoria Foundation, local mountain bike clubs, theTraditional Owners and the scheduled Aboriginal community.

· Encourage bike riders to adhere to the 'Mountain Biking Code'.

Submissions on the Draft Management Plan close Friday 30 September 2005.

Campbells Creek Trail

Apr 04. The Friends of Campbells Creek has received funding from the Dept of Sport and Recreation to construct the trail along the Campbells Creek between Winters Flat and Campbells Creek township.The trail will provide a safe alternative to the highway for children riding to school to either Winters Flat Primary or Campbells Creek Primary School.

The Friends Group are working with Mt Alexander Shire Council to finalise the alignment. Bicycle Network Victoria attended a meeting to determine how to implement the project and ongoing maintenance expenses.

Feb 03. An enthusiastic cycling community with a supportive Council should ensure improved cycling conditions. Bicycle Network Victoria's Campaigns Manager, Bart Sbeghen, made several visits to Castlemaine to help the council and local cycling groups coordinate their efforts and access funding for links to local schools and into the town centre.

If you are interested in joining the local Bicycle Users Group (BUG) contact Michael Grinter at grinter@castlemaine.com.au.

Take action

Would you like to see a section of road improved to make cycling safer in your neighbourhood? Then check out our Get it fixed web page for tips on how to take action.

Mt Alexander Shire Council contact details

mtalex@mountalexander.vic.gov.au

www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au