Update and next steps - February 2023

Following community engagement in 2021, Council and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) continued to work on developing the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike (MTB) Concept plan. This process has been taken longer than originally expected with complex land ownership, social, cultural and environmental and community factors all being highly important in developing the plans.

In mid-late 2022, NPWS sought feedback on the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the trail network. The REF was then finalised in late 2022, and the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain BIke Strategy was also adopted.

Next steps for the MTB Concept plan

NPWS aim for trail network construction to be done in stages, with the first stage starting in early 2023.

With the REF and Illawarra Escarpment Mountain BIke Strategy now finalised, Council is putting the final touches on an updated MTB Concept Plan. Concept planning is being staged to align with the construction of the network, and Council will seek community feedback prior to any work commencing.

The updated draft MTB Concept Plan and REF is planned to be shared for community comment in early 2023. Feedback during this period will be used to make decisions on the MTB Concept Plan, prior to it being finalised.

A community update was sent out to local residents in early February, 2023.

Past updates and activities

2018 – First community engagement on the Illawarra Escarpment MTB Strategy and Concept plan

2019 to 2020 – updating the concept plan and working with stakeholders via MTB Advisory Group

February 2021 – targeted community engagement with Mt Kembla and Kembla Heights community

July 2021 – MTB Concept plan update - Assessments and funding

December 2022 - NPWS Review of Environmental Factors (REF) finalised