Mountain Bike Trail Supporting Infrastructure in Balgownie

Since 2015, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have been working with Wollongong City Council and other stakeholders to provide a sustainable mountain bike network that protects the environmental and cultural values of the Illawarra Escarpment, while providing a suitable mountain bike experience for riders. We’re partnering with NPWS to investigate and deliver supporting infrastructure for the trails. This includes toilets, bins, transport, road crossings and parking. This supporting infrastructure is intended to minimise impacts on residents and create safe and accessible riding experiences. This is an opportunity for you to be part of our planning for this.

What’s happened so far
In June 2021, the Government announced funding for the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network to enable NPWS to complete planning and assessments, finalise the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy and begin on-ground works. In late 2022 following extensive community consultation, the Strategy was adopted. You can read more about this on the NPWS website.

The project is currently continuing in the planning phase with a significant number of completed assessments. These include draft design, geotechnical, ecological, environmental, social impact, transport, cultural and heritage. Planning for the trails at Balgownie is at a preliminary (beginning) stage with environmental assessments currently in progress. NPWS will put the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) on public exhibition from late April 2023. Visit the NPWS website for more information and to subscribe to updates.

Share your thoughts on parking, transport, bins, toilets and more with us
Council and NPWS are inviting residents near the proposed Balgownie trail entry to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed concept ideas shown over the page. These include:

• Potential installation of on-street parking bays near the trail entry located near Miners Memorial Park to reduce on-street parking impacts to local residents
• Potential installation of an amenities building (toilet facilities) at Miners Memorial Park
• Potential upgrades or new pedestrian/cyclist crossing facilities at Foothills Road/Caldwell Avenue near Miners Memorial Park
• Connecting paths/trails from Miners Memorial Park to the Balgownie Mountain Bike Trail entry

This is an opportunity for residents to provide feedback about supporting infrastructure, such as toilets and parking, during this early stage of planning. You can ask questions or share your thoughts with us by:

• Completing the short survey
• Dropping a pin on the map to provide comments on specific locations
• Sending us an email
• Phoning us on 4227 7111

Please submit your questions or feedback by 16 April 2023. We will continue to update the community as we progress with this project.

Submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council's Privacy Policy before submitting your feedback.

Accessibility or language assistance

If you’re d/Deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number (02) 4227 7111 for either service.