Environmental battle erupts in Gold Coast hinterland as Greens say national parks not ‘plaything’ of mountain bikers

An environmental battle has erupted in the Gold Coast hinterland with the Greens demanding the national parks not become “the plaything” of mountain bike users.

AN environmental battle has erupted in the Gold Coast hinterland with the Greens demanding the national parks not become “the plaything” of mountain bike users.

Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon – after a protest campaign by cycling groups on Tuesday – announced $200,000 in funding for a co-designed project which will formalise several mountain bike trails and remove illegal ones in the Nerang National Park.

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

Opposition environment spokesman David Crisafulli then announced the LNP would end the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s practice of closing mountain bike trails throughout the national park and build a sustainable network in a boost for tourism.

The major political parties stepped up on promises after signage was posted on the weekend on one track which closed off several popular trails.

Wildlife Queensland Gold Coast and Hinterland branch spokesperson Sally Spain on Wednesday entered the row saying “don’t lock up National Parks”.

CYCLISTS FURIOUS AFTER MULTIPLE NERANG BIKE TRACKS CLOSED

A map showing the trails at the Nerang Forest on the Gold Coast for cyclists and mountain bike enthusiasts.

STATE GOVERNMENT TO SAVE NERANG BIKE TRAILS

CYCLISTS ON COLLISION WITH BUREAUCRATS ON CLOSING FOREST TRAILS

“Queensland has the smallest amount of them in Australia. These few storehouses for fauna and flora unique in the world cannot become exclusive playthings of a sport or tourist hide for the affluent,” she said.

“After shocking never before seen fire losses in NSW, these Queensland shelters for Australian plants, birds and other terrestrial animals, all diminished, threatened and even extinguished outside sheltered areas, are more important than ever.

“Nerang National Park cannot become a high impact bike zone imperilling others’ rights. Bike riders have already been given, questionably, a million dollars worth of Commonwealth Games tracks inside National Park.”

Gaven Greens candidate Sally Spain — National Parks should not be the “playthings’ of trail cyclists. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

Ms Spain who is the Greens candidate standing in the seat of Gaven in the State poll believes the rights of the “wider public” who hike and observe nature in the area must be considered.

“But there appears to be a small percentage who want more, even though there are tracks for them at Hinze Dam paid for by public purse,” she said.

Both Ms Scanlon, and the LNP, which has endorsed Kirsten Jackson as the party’s candidate, say they will try to strike a balance between the competing interests of the various groups.

Ms Scanlon earlier said: “We must get the balance right between the recreational use and protection of the Nerang National Park’s unique values.”

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

Mr Crisafull in an election promise announcement said: “The LNP will strike the balance between protecting the environment and allowing locals and tourists to enjoy national parks.

“We will listen to the community, keep the tracks open and immediately get to work on

improving the network of trails through Nerang National Park.

“The popularity of mountain biking is surging and we would capture the opportunity, not

squander it like Labor.”