Council heeds pleas to keep bike jumps

MIDCOAST Council has listened to pleas not to remove a few improvised dirt bike jumps in Gloucester District Park.

After the recent floods, Greg Germon, who regularly rides his bike in the park, thought it would be a great idea if some of the loose soil was made into bike jumps to be used by local children.

With the help of younger bike riders, he built several jumps.

Recently, Council removed a few of the jumps, and indicated that it might also remove the remaining three.

Thirteen-year-old Lucas, who has been using the jumps regularly with his mates, was delighted when the jumps were built, but was upset that they might be taken away.

“I think they want to take them away because we are having fun,” he said.

Upset by the Council’s attitude, Greg’s son Brayden took to Facebook and received significant local support.

“The kids have put a lot of effort into this,” he said.

“They’ve had their tools stolen from here several times as well.

“It’s harmless fun, let the kids be kids like we used to be able to be.”

Jenny Boyd is weary of the complaints about the jumps.

“Yep, people whinge about the kids having nothing to do and when you try to do something for the kids they whinge even more.”

Georgia Britten said she had “loved watching these mounds and jumps take shape”.

“They are a fun, clever and creative response to the mass of mud/top soil that was deposited after the flood.”

Kym Holstein said they are not doing any harm.

“People on Council should stop being wowsers and also the fun police.”

On the other hand, Greg Bell suggested the jumps were an “eyesore”.

“The decision to remove the unapproved dirt bike jumps from an area within District Park Gloucester was made using a risk-based approach,” said a Council spokesperson.

“They were removed due to their proximity to the shared pathway… which posed a safety risk for users of the park.

“The remaining dirt jumps, where they do not pose a risk to other users or interfere with shared paths, can remain in place while Council continues to monitor their use and condition.

“We appreciate there is some community frustration with the removal of some of these jumps.

“We strongly urge the community to speak to and work with Council in a collaborative way in the future.”

The Council also indicated that as part of its Skatepark Strategy it had identified the need for a pump track in the Park as a medium term action, which would depend upon the availability of funding.

“However, if there is a desire from a community group to work with Council on progressing a project, Council is open to working collaboratively to determine if opportunity allows it.”

By John WATTS