Wodonga City Council has commissioned the "Wodonga Hills Activation Strategy" version 1, was dated 23rd March 2016.

 This strategy outlines the development of Wodonga’s 6 hills,  Hunchback Hill, Federation Hill, Bears Hill, Huon Hill, Baranduda Range and Maher’s Range.  The hills encircle Wodonga and the change will affect us all.

 The strategy for the Hunchback Hill complex is to develop a World Class Mountain Bike track attracting as many as 20 000 visitors per annum.

• Local Residents were not consulted. We realised only when works had started and $88,000 had been spent on building stage 1, even though the Activation Strategy was in “draft”.  Since then Resident’s concerns have been ignored.
• Council has ignored concerns from the CFA. The CFA has advised against the development in its current form due to the extreme fire risk and potential for loss of life and property due to its close proximity to the residential area of the town.  We can not understand why plans would incorporate BBQ facilities, camping, general high traffic and chauffeured 4WD tours, in a very difficult area to access.

We, The Save Hunchback Hill group, are concerned that Mountain Bike Racing, new lookouts, new carparks, new toilet blocks and new kiosks will

• Detrimentally impact already endangered flora and fauna.  The Grassy Woodland and Valley Grassy Forest is protected under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
• Cause a loss of amenity to local land owners
• Create access issues to Emergency Vehicles ie CFA
• Reduce road safety from increased traffic flow on narrow rural roads. 
• Deteriorate the natural landscape from increased rubbish, erosion, and anti-social behaviour

The area also has a cultural heritage overlay.

 The changes will affect us all, and each hill has its own implications.

 The Department of Environment Water Land and Planning is currently investigating the Wodonga City Council and Parklands Albury/Wodonga and have put a cessation of works in place.

 We are asking Wodonga City Council to start a transparent consultation process with all Wodonga residents informed, so that the residents can decide how they want the surrounding hills to be utilised and follow correct procedures to facilitate this.

 Please sign this petition to support our cause.

 Save Hunch Back Hill Group

 

https://oursay.org/uploads/forum-file/draft-wodonga-hills-activation-strategy-web_1422.pdf