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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 10 Hansard (25 September) . . Page.. 3372 ..

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Access to the start of the `downhill' course (within the nature reserve) was restricted to competitors and officials. Spectator numbers within the reserve area were therefore minimal as they had to walk long distances up steep terrain to reach the section of the course within the reserve.

(3) What work, if any, was done to repair damage to the reserve such as caused by tracks created during the event and what contribution was made by the Australian Mountain Bike Nationals to this repair work.

The section of the course within Mount Majura Nature Reserve was rehabilitated soon after the event. Drainage earthworks and revegetation works including mulching and seeding with native species was carried out, where necessary. Works were carried out by volunteer members of Canberra Off Road Cyclists, with assistance and supervision from ACT Parks and Conservation Service staff.

(4) Was an environmental impact assessment made either prior to or after the event and if so, what were the results of this / these impact statement(s) and any recommendations arising from those processes.

An impact assessment was undertaken to assess the quality of the natural environment in the area of the event within the nature reserve. No rare or uncommon species were found in this area.

An impact assessment was carried out during the event by an expert track monitoring consultant from Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. This study indicated that significant impact occurred during the 1997 `downhill' event. This impact was on those sections of the course off existing trails. The report recommended that one or more permanent downhill mountain bike courses be established in the ACT, that mountain bike activity be minimised on largely undisturbed natural areas and that downhill mountain bike use in the ACT be segregated as far as possible from other recreational activities.

(5) Is it the intention of the ACT Parks and Conservation Service (ACTP&CS) to allow events of this type in the Mount Majura Nature Reserve in the future and if so, what steps will be taken to ensure protection of the reserve.

The mountain bike events for the forthcoming Masters Games in the ACT will utilise a course on Mount Majura which runs through the ACT Forests' pine plantation, but not the Nature Reserve.

The Government is considering the appropriate location for the 1998 National Mountain Bike Championships.

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