Page 2225 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2016
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to another minister, I am happy for the minister for planning to answer the question. However, I am mindful of the point raised by Mr Coe and I will consider that separately. Mr Gentleman.
MR GENTLEMAN: I will answer that as Minister for Planning and Land Management of course. The government has done quite a bit of work on mountain bike trails across the territory. We want to make sure that any use of these trails is safe. We have engaged with the community and with sporting groups across the territory to ensure that the allocation of those areas is proper and fit for purpose as well.
Some of the concerns that we have seen, particularly in Isaacs where we have had activity of mountain bikes in the area and pedestrian activity as well, on occasion would present an issue of safety. So the government has communicated with the residents and with those groups.
The government allocated $185,000 in funding in 2015-16 to upgrade the existing unsafe, downhill trails at Isaacs Ridge to meet the standards so that they are safe for all users. Of course Isaacs pines on the ridge is adjacent to residences and is a valuable resource for walkers—dog walkers of course, horse riders, runners, orienteers and bike riders. The local mountain bike club has run a small-scale downhill event there for over 10 years. The focus on the area for informal recreation that caters for all users will be maintained.
Community consultation was undertaken in August and September last year and the on-ground works will be completed early this month.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: Minister, in the past year, what action has the government taken to catch and/or prosecute organisations or groups constructing illegal mountain bike trails in urban parklands and unleased lands, and what do you say to residents who say that the new situation leaves them quite fearful when walking in the area?
MR GENTLEMAN: Our urban rangers and open space rangers have been out looking at these areas for quite some time. As I said, this area in particular has been used for 10 years for those mountain bike riders. The process here is to look at providing some safe operations. That is the engagement that we have had, to provide a safe opportunity for mountain bike riders and pedestrians as well as residents who live around the area.
The engagement has been quite extensive. We have talked with residents about parking operations as well. In response, some concerns were raised during the consultation process about the potential conflict of different user types. They worked through that process with both the residents and the mountain bike groups. We want to make sure, as I said, that we have the safest possible operations, but we do want to encourage people across the territory to exercise in the safest possible manner.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
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