Department for Infrastructure and Transport will no longer flatten the Edwardstown bike jumps

After being told their local track was going to be demolished, a government department has backflipped on its plans for a set of handmade BMX jumps.

The Infrastructure and Transport Department has backflipped on a pledge to demolish a much-loved community BMX track in Edwardstown, with the chain reaction linked to an outcry by local children and teenagers.

After The Messenger revealed on Wednesday the handmade track was set to be bulldozed by the government department — devastating the local youth who built it — DIT has seemingly had a change of heart.

On Thursday morning, a DIT spokesperson confirmed to The Messenger there were “plans to level the site to ensure the area is safe for all community members”.

However the department provided a different response just three hours later, saying “there have been some developments since this morning”.

“The Department for Infrastructure and Transport can confirm that rubbish has been cleared from the site at the corner of Castle Street and Railway Terrace at Edwardstown, but that no immediate action will be taken to level the BMX jumps,” a spokesperson said.

“The department will now engage with the local community, local council and the contractor responsible for the site to discuss next steps, and what steps can be taken to create a safe space for all users.

“This will include seeking feedback from the children who use the jumps, their parents and others in the community and will also include identifying an alternative site for BMX jumps, if the current site is found not to be suitable.”

Caleb, 7, and Sebastian, 9, were left heartbroken by DIT's initial decision to bulldoze local BMX jumps at Railway Terrace in Edwardstown. Picture: Tom Huntley

Local mum Bec Morris said it was a great effort by all those involved after her two sons Sebastian, 9, and Caleb, 7, were initially saddened to see workers begin the process to bulldoze the site.

“It’s a great result that they are keeping the track,” Mrs Morris said.

“Sebastian cried when he found out it was going to be demolished.

“It’s become a real community location for kids of all ages to come and meet and spend time with one another, away from their screens.”

The sophisticated track has a number of low and high jumps which those of all ages can attempt to master.

Mrs Morris said the track had became almost a ritual in their household.

“We often come down after school or on weekends to see what everyone is doing, it has been a healthy and productive way for kids to work together and has built a sense of community,” she said.

Hand built BMX tracks will no longer be demolished at Edwardstown. Picture: Emily Jarvis

“I think the kids really feel a sense of accomplishment from building this and I know my boys have loved using it.”

Earlier this month a similar track in Grange after a number of schoolchildren spent the better part of their weekends building a BMX track before council tore the site down, sparking an online petition to reinstate the track.

“When it was brought to our attention, it didn’t meet a number of our by-laws and if someone was to fall over, we as a council have a duty of care,” said the City of Charles Sturt spokesman.

“We have to make it safe but we don’t want to crush it and tell them to go away, there is obviously a need for it and now we will look at what we can do on the site to keep everyone happy.”