Toowoomba Regional Council to carry out fauna, flora studies in Redwood Park ahead of mountain biking plan

Environmental studies that will explore the fauna and flora of a sensitive ecosystem on the Toowoomba escarpment could impact a planned mountain biking masterplan.

Aerial photograph of the Toowoomba Range showing Redwood Park. Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle. Helicopter services courtesy of Heliwest Group

The future scope of a mountain biking masterplan along the Toowoomba escarpment could hinge on environmental studies into its impacts on flora and fauna.

The Toowoomba Regional Council endorsed the plan in late 2019 for 70km of new biking trails through Jubilee and Redwood Parks, the latter of which is believed to be home to endangered birds and animals.

Now the council has employed Redleaf Environmental to capture seasonal data about the types of species that inhabit Redwood Park.

It comes just a few months after a committee of concerned environmentalists was formed to stop the council building trails through Redwood.

Plans for mountain biking trails in Redwood Park as part of the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley Escarpment Mountain Bike Master Plan.

“This assessment is being undertaken to ensure the environmental values of the parks are protected in consideration of the potential, future trails network outlined in the masterplan,” Councillor James O’Shea said.

“The data from the assessments (and other information) will be considered by council before any decision is made.

“Council appreciates the involvement of all affiliated park user groups to date and looks forward to tapping into their collective knowledge around the various species that are found in the parks.”

The report will be lodged with the council soon.