We deserve a better legacy...
The residents of the Somerset Region deserve a far better legacy than the degradation of unique habitats, with a Multi-million-dollar price tag, for a Mountain full of trails.
The Somerset Regional Council have proposed to construct 28kms of trails throughout the Mount Glen Rock land parcel which includes a large block owned by SRC, and 4 smaller blocks owned by State Government.
The map above outlines the extent of this trail network.
'Mountain Biking only' trails are Orange, 'Shared' trails are Yellow and the Green trail is the section for 'Walking' only.
Walkers, Families, Photographers, Birdwatchers etc., will be able to enjoy ONE WHOLE KILOMETRE of walking to themselves.
This network of trails will form the Mount Glen Rock Adventure Park.
(SEE BELOW: 2 excerpts from research connected to yet another Mountain Bike Trail development in Warburton, Victoria, that clearly states the impacts that Mountain bikes have on other trail users, especially Walkers)
The MTB trails on Mount Glen Rock will cross many gullies and traverse very steep inclines covered in loose shale and crumbling rocks.
Native Flora, including mature Grass Trees, and delicate wildflowers, cover these slopes and ravines.
After rain, these gullies, which are marked in Blue on the map, become raging torrents of water due to the incline of this land.
This is the precise way nature has intended this land to be since the Triassic Era.
However, as the map shows, in the planned Adventure Park, most of these gullies will have at least 4 Mountain Bike trails crossing them, creating the potential for significant and irreversible erosion.
This 207 hectares of land, is also essential habitat for Endangered and Threatened Fauna.
Mount Glen Rock has been home to our iconic Koala and elusive Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, for much longer than our people have been here.
But now, here we are in 2022, and our Local Government has asked our Federal Government for millions of dollars, to help them put hundreds of Mountain Bikers and Rock Climbers into this natural environment.
This project has a minimum cost of 6.1 million dollars.
Australian Flora and Fauna deserves our support, and it deserves much better protection.
The millions of dollars could be more well spent in the Conservation of this environment and the Protection of these species and their habitats.
Millions of taxpayers' dollars should not be used to help Adventure enthusiasts get their thrill, at the expense of our natural environment and our wonderful wildlife.
Adventure enthusiasts do not need this precious habitat for their survival.
They are not Endangered, they are not Threatened, they are not Vulnerable, and they are far from unique.
And Mount Glen Rock should not be carved up into a myriad of trails that once constructed, can never be reversed.
RESEARCH EXCERPTS
"Although Mountain Biking will increase fitness because of the exercise, injuries also need to be taken into account. There is also the negative impact on other users of trails in the areas, most particularly walkers, as there has been a decrease in recreational walking caused by conflict with bikes in Warburton."
"Limiting other opportunities
Mountain Bikers have already scared most walkers off the Back Stairs track that was a favourite fitness track for walkers but is now too dangerous to walk. The Rail Trail has become an uncomfortable walk for many walkers, some of whom have stopped using it, but most have altered when they walk to avoid peak times. This alteration of behaviour does not increase fitness, it decreases it. Walking is the number one sport for participation, it is gender neutral with a near 50/50 participation in all studies and is suitable for the elderly and children. It is precisely these categories that are suffering the most, although bikes have been a problem for all other trail users."
See full article here: https://rethink-warburton-mountain-bike-destination.com/issues/health/
The residents of the Somerset Region deserve a better legacy than another Multi-million-dollar Adventure Park, built for a minority group of the Australian society.
PLEASE tell the Somerset Regional Council what you think...
ATTN: CEO Andrew Johnson
mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
ATTN: Acting Manager Recreation and Tourism, Daniel Rowe
mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
Mayor Graham Lehmann
glehmann@somerset.qld.gov.au
Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke
hbrieschke@somerset.qld.gov.au
Cr Bob Whalley
bwhalley@somerset.qld.gov.au
Cr Cheryl Gaedtke
cgaedtke@somerset.qld.gov.au
Cr Sean Choat
schoat@somerset.qld.gov.au
Cr Jason Wendt
jwendt@somerset.qld.gov.au
Cr Kylee Isidro
kisidro@somerset.qld.gov.au
We greatly appreciate your ongoing support.
PLEASE keep sharing our petition.
If you are aware of individuals or specific groups that enjoy walking amongst the beauty of any natural environment, PLEASE share our petition with them.
Much gratitude to you ♡