Unsanctioned Trail Building in Conservation Areas
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS) have asked us to help get the word out that they will be cracking down on illegal trail building in conservation areas. They have specifically pointed out the continued development of an unsanctioned trail within the Mapleton National Park.
QPWS have already warned against building this track a year ago but work has continued and the features along it have grown in number and size. QPWS will now close the track, remove all structures, and install surveillance cameras. Any continued building will be met with fines and legal action.
However the QPWS are happy to speak to the builders regarding current MTB opportunities they have and about future development in the Mapleton national park. Contact Senior Ranger Nat Smith on Nat.Smith@npsr.qld.gov.au
Stay safe, Keep Riding!
Bush Rangers Committee
The following are a few photos provided to us by QPWS of the unsanctioned trail.
Andy
January 23, 2018 8:34 pmWouldn’t it be more useful to legalise that track? It’s about the only track on non private land on the Sunshine coast worth riding. Everywhere else is so watered down, as witnessed by the new ‘black’ track at parklands which is well intentioned but rideable on a 100mm travel hardtail.
Secretary
January 23, 2018 10:32 pmHey Andy. Yeah that was a unique bit of track and we did suggest to legitimise it but QPWS are really coming to the party with a whole heap of good MTB stuff in the works that has to come first. From what we hear a whole new trail network at Boneyards, advanced stuff at Ferny Forest and more black stuff at Parklands and Wooroi.
Dave
January 25, 2018 11:37 pmMmm what a wast of time and effort to build somthing for everyone to enjoy from teenage girls to 50-60 year old men and women who every time thy finished there run thy would be hi 5in You would be fool not to realise that the trail had somthing for everyone and every jump or structure as thy call it had a near prefect run in giving the rider to approach with confidence and every ramp was built to ensure the ride traveled as leavl as posble (unlike the new run at parklands to much if a kicker ????,). Also the fact that the trail never has any little nastys in it like a 3 foot rocky drop witch could pop out from nowear I feel sthomthing that was being built 4everone across the board has been lost ,not only the fact that the more riders bring more buisnes into the surroundings Sure it’s not a world class run but hell it’s longer then Anything else on the coast and once the word was out ,you would sart to see more people coming into the local community ,the same as what’s happening in TAS as we speak ????anyway drag ya head outa the bucket and look towards the future outs already on your door step
Jeff
January 26, 2018 10:47 amSuch a massive loss to the biking community. If the only avenue to having new trails is through the beurocracy choked pathway of official trailworks then we can never expect to grow our network in a way that caters for different riders. The work and dedication that has gone into constructing this trail is phenomenal and the result is loved by many. What negatives have resulted from this trail? How can it not be recognised that the benefits are so wide reaching? Crushing the efforts that result in such awesome trails instead of harnessing them is so counterproductive, I know the builders would be stoked to work with those required to effect the compromise required. It was the same kind of trailblazers that gave us the parklands network, they were all illegal trails once too remember.
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January 26, 2018 10:52 amGreg
February 5, 2018 8:37 pmI couldn’t agree more with the comments made by Jeff. I remember chatting away with a couple who claimed to have cut in the Parklands network back in the day, “running from the ranger”, as they put it. Those same trails are now a legitimate, unique and well loved resource for the area and our community. They cost the council next to nothing, thanks to the efforts of “unsanctioned trail builders,” yet they give ongoing opportunities for the locals and those from afar to enjoy the beautiful environment that we are fortunate enough to live in and to engage in a sport that is growing at a record rate throughout the country. The trail in question has fast become a valuable resource to the local mountain biking community, filling a need for something more engaging for competent riders whilst being accessible for those still developing their skills. In my opinion, as both a passionate mountain biker and as a Paramedic in the community, I regard that trail as very well built, sustainable and as safe as any other trail in the area. It would be a great shame to see it go to waste. Honestly, the right way forward is to sanction the trail and liaise with the builders and the mountain biking community to aid its development in such a way that that satisfies the concerns of NPWS and the mountain biking community.
Secretary
February 6, 2018 10:34 amThanks for the comments guys and yeah we agree that it was a good opportunity to add a proper advanced level trail to the Sunshine Coast, even if just needed a bit of work to bring it inline with QPWS standards. We are hearing similar stories from a lot of people and there are a lot of assumptions flying around about why it’s happen like liability, safety, bushfires, sustainability, future plans, legal reasons, motorbikes? Until Friday’s meeting we don’t really know why it was removed. Are you all going to come along? It could be a golden opportunity to argue for more advanced trails and streamlined the approval process.
https://bushrangers.org/2018/01/26/unsanctioned-trails-qpws-community-meeting/