City needs to get moving Redwood Park bike track expansion

“There are no rational or evidence-based reasons why the council should not implement its recreational plan for the park.”

Toowoomba Chronicle reader Paul Herbert wants the Toowoomba Regional Council to move forward on plan for more bike tracks in Redwood Park.

I note the recent debate regarding the expansion of mountain biking on the escarpment and Redwood Park.

I would like to address the notion that mountain biking is not compatible on conservation or environmental grounds.

A new South Australian National Park near Victor Harbour is a haven for threatened and endangered species. The SA government is investing $3 million into building mountain bike and walking trails with full support of local environmental groups and state departments.

Tasmania allows mountain biking in their national parks as does Queensland. The Sunshine Coast has invested heavily in minimal impact recreational facilities in national and state parks.

Studies conducted by the US National Park and Wildlife Service and the NSW Department of Environment found that mountain biking has a similar level of impact as hiking and less than that of equestrian use, and that there is no scientific data to indicate that mountain bikers have a greater negative impact on wildlife compared to other trail users.

Properly constructed recreational trails for both hiking and mountain biking can add significantly to the usage of what should be, Toowoomba’s most valuable asset, generating significant economic value.

There are no rational or evidence-based reasons why the council should not implement its recreational plan for the park.

PAUL HERBERT, Toowoomba