BORRA guidelines for completing Council's Concept Plan Feedback Survey
BORRA has released guidelines on completing Council’s Mt Coot-tha MTB Concept Plan Feedback Survey. Use the pre-loved content below for the survey response if you are short on time or step through the guidelines (video below or PDF) as you complete the council’s feedback survey and if you really want to underline the point about the Lord Mayor keeping this promise from 2019 ‘After having this matter brought to my attention, I wish to let you know that Council is not undertaking wholescale removal of the unauthorised trails.‘, then sign a new petition set up to remind him of that! In summary, you need to do these two things:
Give council feedback: qrcc.me/rjret5dsk964
Sign this petition: qrcc.me/rjxuldw4x4rr
Have your say before the deadline (11:59 PM) this Sunday 30 October!
If you’ve watched the video or checked out the PDF and are ready to provide feedback to council - hit this link: qrcc.me/rjret5dsk964
If you are looking for some text to fill in the two free text boxes in the survey form, our initial thoughts are reproduced below. Pick out what resonates with you and expand it - tell your own story. Or just leave those text boxes blank - it's more important to get a response in to the multi choice questions versus mulling too hard over the perfect words. Numbers count!!
Pre-Loved content you can recycle
If you just need something to start with then you can use these two blocks of pre-loved text for the two main free text questions - remember to personalise it!
Answers to 'Share thoughts about investigating linkages shown as opportunity 8':
In the area of opportunity 8, I support the idea of two trails for north access on Moggil Rd, The Gap. Details of these two trails were suggested by BORRA as the 'School Trails' - I support that concept.
Sanction Channel 8 - it is the safe alternative to the dangerous Highwood Rd Trail. Extend that trail around to near the top of Bardon Trail (#48 - too dangerous to ride - bypass it).
Create two new trails for access to/from Bardon - 1 connecting Simpsons Rd, Bardon and 1 connecting Paten Rd, The Gap.
Sanction the three challenging trails in this area. Build a dedicated walking trail.
That's exactly 600 Characters
Answers to 'further feedback':
MTB ban in Area C is inequitable- it won't meet the needs of the public. Rather than more dedicated walking trails, sanction the existing set of continuous MTB trails that go from Chapel Hill up to Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, and realign the section that was resumed by Spotted Gum. Instead of segregation, deliver an effective education program to resolve apparent issues from a small minority of walkers.
Easy access from the south east to existing trails - add a green contour trail from Chapel Hill to Echidna.
That's exactly 600 Characters
Longer discussion you can use to draw on for some ideas:
We think that there are major opportunities to improve this concept. we see some good ideas in the west, but it shows removal of access to over 60% of the reserve by bike for most suburbs and closure of 75% of the informal trails we campaigned to save in 2019.
Overall this is a huge backwards step after three years of waiting. Through our hard work in the recovery, the community has shown it's eagerness to work constructively with council, but this draft concept plan seems like a step in the wrong direction.
We particularly like the idea of linking Gap Creek and Gold Creek with a BLUE rated trail via Gillian’s Circuit. We also like the scope for improving the diversity of trails to encompass higher skilled riders.
Converting more trails to one way also helps with higher use.
What we cannot accept is the wholesale closing of Area C on the concept. The trails in this area have been around for decades (with several on the current BCC track map), they are generally low speed technical trails not seen anywhere else in the park.
These trails are a valuable asset to the mountain bike community and many believe that they should be protected as part of the heritage of the area - many have been around for decades. These trails form part of a larger loop for extended rides and also provide a vital access from the south east corner of the park.
The plan entirely misses the mark on Access Trails. There are many important reasons that Brisbane residents need to be able to Ride to the Ride, rather than drive and park. BORRA shared ideas for the Concept Plan over 12 months ago and has always championed access from the South East (Chapel Hill) as well as the North East (Bardon), plus two points of Safe Access from Sir Samuel Griffith Drive.
These linkages to surrounding suburbs make Mt Coot-tha far more accessible to riders from all over Brisbane. The white boxes overlayed on the concept diagram show some of BORRA's ideas for access from all corners.
It is good to see some plans for trails on the Eastern side of Area A in the plan. However, the arbitrary line marking the South East border of Area A excludes a more gentle slope further east which would be perfect for an easy (GREEN) beginner descent and a more moderate climb to the trail head.
It is difficult to provide feedback on Area B with the lack of detail presented in this concept, however it is clear that wholesale exclusion of some dedicated mountain bike trails in this area will not be acceptable to the community. The subsequent update indicates that the informal trails in this area will be removed.
We recall the letter from the Lord Mayor in July 2019, where Adrian Schrinner stated that there would be no wholesale removal of trails and that council would endeavour to work constructively with the community. We hope that the Lord Mayor upholds this promise, and that this consultation process is genuine. This draft 'concept plan' and the subsequent update published by Council declares that wholesale closure is imminent for Area B and C. Council have confirmed that they plan to remove 100% of trails in Area C. That's wholesale removal.
If you are ready to provide feedback to council - hit this link: qrcc.me/rjret5dsk964