Cyclists furious after multiple Nerang bike trails closed again by Queensland Parks and Wildlife

Cyclists are fuming yet again after trails across a popular Gold Coast hinterland forest were blocked off.

CYCLISTS are feeling betrayed with trails in a popular Gold Coast hinterland forest being closed off by rocks and logs.

The blockages occurred on Thursday according to disgruntled cyclists and it comes after the State Government installed track closure signs in the same forest at the start of the month, leading to a meeting between the parties involved.

Map prepared by cyclists showing potential tracks to be closed in the Nerang Forest in the Gold Coast hinterland.

The Bulletin in a report last month detailed how work had stopped on removing mountain bike trails after the Save Our Nerang Bike Forest Group, which has more than 2900 members, began a protest campaign.

But signage placed on one of the trails at the start of August caused uproar among riders leading them to reach out to Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon.

At the time Ms Scanlon, speaking on behalf of the government, said talks were continuing with stakeholders and no further trails would be closed.

COLLISION COURSE IN NERANG FOREST TRAILS

The creator of the protest group Daniel Kron said a meeting between Ms Scanlon, the Gold Coast Mountain Bike Club and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) was held on July 23 where it was agreed QPWS would provide a plan for the forest within two weeks.

Mr Kron said the mountain bike club is yet to receive a plan and QPWS has gone back on its word by closing trails on Thursday.

A sign showing some of the Nerang forest trails being closed off to bike riders in the Gold Coast hinterland.

“Had a few reports in from riders today that QPWS are decommissioning trails while the mountain bike community were led to believe there was an agreement that no further decommissioning would occur until completion of the co-design consultation process,” he said.

A comment from Ms Scanlon on one of the posts from the protest Facebook group said: “I escalated this matter to the Ministers office immediately today as soon as I was notified of this information.

New signage where Nerang forest trails are closed to bike riders in the Gold Coast hinterland.

“For this process to work, we need to ensure no one is illegally constructing trails (I appreciate the overwhelming majority of MB riders do the right thing but unfortunately others are letting the group down) and QPWS needs to consult with locals and organised groups in good faith.

“I have been given strict assurances that no further work is to take place at this time.

Logs across some of the Nerang forest trails closed off to bike riders in the Gold Coast hinterland.

“We of course are working on a co-designed project and until we come to a resolution no works will occur.”

A Department of Environment and Science spokesperson said: “QPWS will continue to work with the Gold Coast Mountain Bike Club, the broader mountain biking community and other interested parties to reach consensus on an appropriate and sustainable mountain bike trail network that is in keeping with the values of the National Park.

Closure of Nerang forest trails for bike riders in the Gold Coast hinterland – many cyclists are concerned about the destruction of the trails.

“To ensure the long-term sustainability of mountain bike riding in the Nerang National Park, the Queensland Government is funding a $200,000 collaborative mountain bike trails project as part of the National Parks Works and Jobs Boost program.

“This project will formalise additional priority trails for inclusion in the park’s official mountain bike network and remove illegally constructed tracks in ecologically sensitive areas.”