Bom Bom State Forest to undergo timber harvesting

Visitors to Bom Bom State Forest will be temporarily locked out of the area to make way for timber harvesting.

The Grafton Mountain Biking Club at Bom Bom State Forest on a hot, 36 degree Sunday ride.

Visitors to Bom Bom State Forest will be temporarily locked out to make way for timber harvesting in and around its many mountain bike trails.

Forestry Corporation is working closely with the Grafton Cycle Club who manage the mountain bike trails.

“Bom Bom State Forest, just south of Grafton, is well known for its mountain biking and is popular with a range of recreational users such as horse riders, trail walkers, motorbike riders and four-wheel drivers,” partnerships leader, Ryan Ellis said.

“We ask visitors to avoid the closed area to ensure their own safety and allow operations to be completed as quickly as possible and the forest reopened.”

Mr Ellis said the forest closure will be reviewed prior to Christmas.

“Throughout this time this area is closed to all visitors and forest recreation activities,” he said.

Forestry Corporation staff have been working closely with The Grafton Cycle Club in developing a plan to safely undertake the harvesting while minimising impact to the existing trails.

A risk assessment will be undertaken with the club prior to the trails reopening, said Grafton Cycle Club President Grant Hodgins.

“While the club is disappointed that riding will temporarily be put on hold, we are looking forward to an improved road network which will make access to the trails a lot easier,” Mr Hodgins said.

In the meantime, Mr Ellis said there were plenty of other State Forests to explore nearby.

“Divines, Glenugie and Candole State Forests in the immediate surrounding area only begin to scratch the surface of options to explore State forests in the local Clarence area,” he said.