Share your thoughts on the Kembla Heights mountain biking project

Last chance to share your feedback on ideas for new infrastructure such as toilets, bins, and parking to support NSW National Parks and Wildlife’s mountain bike track network in Kembla Heights.

The opportunity for community input focusses on the opportunity to hear directly from residents on the location and types of facilities to be put in place, to minimise impacts on those living in the area.

Since 2015, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have worked closely with Wollongong City Council to investigate how they could provide a sustainable mountain bike network. Not only is it important to protect the environmental and cultural value of the escarpment, the goal was to also provide a suitable mountain biking experience.

Wollongong City Council is moving forward to the next stage with two separate projects for mountain bike track supporting infrastructure.

From 3 April until the Monday 8 May, Community members are being asked to provide feedback on the Kembla Heights project and find out more by visiting the Our Wollongong website.

At the same time, consultation for community feedback on the Balgownie project has closed. You can still take a look at what Council is proposing by visiting the Our Wollongong website.

“These proposed upgrades will complement the work that the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service are doing to design and build the tracks. This will provide and improve riding opportunities for mountain bike riders,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“We expect that the demands and impacts of mountain biking on the Illawarra Escarpment will continue to increase. Council’s goal is to manage this interest by making sure the tracks are not only sustainable and safe for riders to use, but also prioritise the cultural and natural values of the escarpment.

“At the end of the day, we all need to share this space so that our community can continue to enjoy the Illawarra Escarpment for all its beauty and potential. This proposed infrastructure aims to support sustainable mountain bike riding and reduce the impact on the natural environment and our local community.”

What’s is Council proposing?

Kembla Heights

Council has a draft concept design for this part of the track network. The feedback received during this consultation will be used to finalise the concept design, which Council will share with the community for further input. The proposal includes:

• Additional car parking and new footpaths on Harry Graham Drive, close to the Wollongong Motorcycle club
• Kerb and intersection improvements
• Improvements to the existing unsealed gravel car park near the Wollongong Motorcycle Club, including retaining walls
• New blade signage, wayfinding signage and cycling crossing warning signage
• Future improvements to the trail entry and exit on Harry Graham Drive
• A new car park near the Bowling Club with accessible parking
• Safety fencing/barriers to the edge of the car park near the Bowling Club.

Once the design for the supporting infrastructure at Kembla Heights is complete, Council will start work on the project in stages.

Detailed concept plans, FAQs and maps of the sites are available on the Our Wollongong website.

The deadline for submitting questions or feedback closes Monday 8 May 2023.

Balgownie

Consultation has closed. Council is now reviewing Community feedback.  The feedback received during this consultation will be used to inform the draft concept design, which Council will share with the community for further input once it’s ready.

• New on-street parking bays near the trail entry located near Miners Memorial Park. This will help reduce on-street parking impacts on residents
• New amenities (toilets) at Miners Memorial Park
• Upgrades or new pedestrian/cyclist crossing facilities at Foothills Road and Caldwell Avenue, near Miners Memorial Park
• Connecting paths and trails from Miners Memorial Park to the Balgownie Mountain Bike trail entry.

Interested in cycling but don’t know where to get started? Visit the Bike City webpage for more information about all the cycling options available in Wollongong.