Save the Howard Springs Pine Forest Trails
To the NT Planning Commission,
RE Towards a Darwin Regional Land Use Plan 2014
Maintaining the Howard Springs Pine Forest Rural Activity Centres
Por. 055 2821, 430 Howard Springs Rd. Current zone type LAPRL1
Sec. 055 05623, 145 Howard Springs Road. Current zone type LAPCP
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR COMENTARY ON DARWIN REGIONAL LAND USE PLAN 2014
This response is submitted on behalf of the Top End recreational and sporting off road cycle community in relation to the future use of the abovementioned land area, commonly known as the Howard Springs Pine Forest. It requests consideration be given to rezoning the Pine Forest as open space /for public recreational use (or similar) so that it may continue to be used as an important off-road cycling venue in the Top End.
The Pine Forest has been a valuable recreational resource to Top End off-road cyclists for many years. It is bisected in an approximately east/west direction by the Howard Springs/Gunn Point Road. On the northern side there is approximately 10km of purpose built cycle tracks intersected by four wheel drive tracks/fire roads. On the southern side there is about 20km of purpose built cycle tracks intersected by a number of four wheel drive and fire tracks. The cycle tracks are highly circuitous/convoluted and thus make economical use of the land as a riding venue.
Over the past three years the Top End Mountain biking community has extended and maintained the extensive southern network and has constructed a number of obstacles that make the tracks more challenging for experienced riders while providing “B routes” for beginners. This construction activity is ongoing and has taken place almost every week over the past three years. The tracks are continually being extended and are very well used.
Many cyclists consider off-road cycling – which does not need to be “extreme” – to be far safer than riding on roads and cycleways where it can be challenging to avoid cars, joggers, and dogs etc. and where there are often speed limits (20kph is easily attained by many riders) which, though necessary for public safety, limit the enjoyment of many cyclists.
Off road cycling is a rapidly growing recreational and sporting activity throughout Australia. In the Top End it attracts male and female riders from junior school age to people well into their sixties. The off road cycling community in the Darwin and Palmerston area is large but its size is difficult to estimate. There are a number of formal and social groups that ride at least once or twice a week such as the Darwin Off Road Cyclists (DORC), the Top End BHASH and the Spokes Group. Many more people ride on an individual basis or with friends several times a week. The Pine Forest is utilised by off road cyclists every day of the year. Every weekend riders can be found there from dawn to dusk. It is also commonly ridden (and raced) at night, throughout the year.
The most utilised Top End off-road riding locations are the Howard Springs Pine Forest and Charles Darwin National Park (CDNP). These locations provide very different riding experiences with the latter being regarded as “technical” terrain, much of which can only be ridden by more experienced riders. The Pine Forest provides a unique environment that can be safely ridden by beginners where basic skills can be learned and fitness attained.
The Pine Forest can also prove very challenging at speed and for this reason, like CDNP, is used as a racing venue for the growing number of Top End riders affiliated through Darwin Off Road Cyclists to Mountain Bike Australia. The Pine Forest is almost exclusively utilised by two-wheel enthusiasts so there is little risk of conflict with pedestrians/hikers/runners or antagonism over land use. In the southern section of the forest there is also little risk of collision with cars as there are no sealed roads bisecting the forest. The two main user groups are off-road cyclists and off road motor cyclists and these groups stick mostly to different tracks.
Importantly, the southern part of the Pine Forest is one of the few areas that can be ridden all year round. This is because the soils are relatively well drained and the tracks are resistant to erosion- even when being ridden in the wet. For example, at time or writing and since the beginning of January, this southern section has been almost the only top end off-road venue that can be ridden without being degraded/damaged .
While CDNP, and to a lesser extent Lee Point Reserve, provide readily accessible off-road cycling venues for Darwin residents, the Pine Forest offers similar accessibility to Palmerston residents. Re-zoning it for alternative development would destroy this venue in an area where there are few other alternatives – and none that are as extensive or well established.
We believe that preserving this land area for the present and future off-road cycling community would be a visionary example of modern land use and one that promotes a low cost recreational venue that promotes healthy lifestyles. It is a unique asset which could be incorporated into the Howard Springs Nature reserve as an example of a multi-use recreational facility for residents and visitors alike.
In summary, we advocate that the Howard Springs Pine Forest be preserved as a low cost recreational off road cycling venue for the following reasons:
1 The area already provides approximately 30km of well-established and well-used “purpose built” off road cycling tracks.
2 The tracks are highly convoluted/ circuitous and thus make very economic use of the land as a riding venue.
3 The tracks have been developed and maintained entirely at the cost of local cycling enthusiasts and are sustainable as such.
4 The tracks provide a safe area to for beginner cyclists to learn to ride off-road yet are extensively used by experienced riders of all ages.
5 Junior development and training of mountain bikers occurs on these tracks and has produced National junior mountain bike representatives
6 Various circuits within these tracks have been used for many years as a formal safe racing venue that requires negligible coordination with other “vehicle/road” users.
7 The tracks are well used on a daily basis, including at night.
8 The area is possibly the only land that can be almost completely ridden in all seasons without damaging the environment.
9 The area provide a convenient “ride to” venue for Palmerston residents yet is easily accessible by Rural and Darwin residents.
10 The number of cyclists (including off road cyclists) in Darwin is increasing and the Pine Forest is already a popular alternative to increasingly congested multi-use cycle ways.
11 The Pine Forest’s proximity to an existing reserve lends itself to being developed as an extended recreational area.
This submission has been coordinated by the Darwin Off-Road Cycling Club on behalf of all members of the broader Top End off-road cycling community.
I you would like to endorse this response to the Planning Commission’s request or public comment, you can do so here:http://www.gopetition.com/
Almost daily the government health body produce statistics on the declining health of Australians suggesting physical activity is the best way to reduce such issues as obesity, and spending millions to tell us such. A recreational area with minimal cost maintained by the users and heavily used is under question? It’s good to see the non profit small clubs are actively out there contributing to the community recreational needs, maybe the relevant government bodies should take note. The question should not be if it is viable, it’s where should the next one be, how do we promote this great activity and how can we help!
I couldn’t agree more Andrew. There are quite a few people I know who have significantly improved their health after buying a bike. After starting to ride regularly in my late 40’s about 5 years ago I lost 10kg without any change in diet and returned to the same weight I was when 25 years old. I have a number of friends of all ages who have lost significant amounts of weight and whose health, mental and physical, has improved as a result of riding their bikes. Some of them gave up smoking because of their desire to ride further/faster/more often. (actually I personally don’t know any riders who smoke – but a number who used to).
Back to the Pine Forest however. The fact that it is so accessible by Rural/Palmerston/Darwin residents is what gives it real value to our community. There are very few places I know of where such a great amenity is so close to town. While there are many fantastic places to ride throughout Australia, most are located well away from towns and cities and require at least an hours travel by car to get there. Go to the Pine forest at 5:30 any day of the week and you will find a bunch of people keeping fit and having fun after a hard days work. All of these people know that a good mood is just a bike ride away.
What a shame if the Northern Territory Government don’t recognise what an asset the Pine Forest is in its current form -its not as if they have a flush health budget with spare capacity at RDH.
Andrew,
This is a fantastic point. Do you mind if I post it on the DORC Facebook and Twitter accounts and invite more discussion?
No, if you think it is worthy contribution go ahead. I was out there today enjoying the tracks with my 8 and 13 year old boys, it’s held up well with all the rain. 2 hours later with at least 4 other family’s, what a great Sunday afternoon.
Please not ruin the Pine Forest track- it is one of the few places a rider with beginner skills can practice and enjoy riding
Darwin needs to have fun green places to attract and keep quality residents. If we don’t protect the pine forest, the entire community will suffer. Why not turn the quarry into a housing zone and leave the fun tracks alone.
This pine forest took many dollars to prepare and plant and manage . it is now over 40 years old so alternative and destructive development wastes 40 years of work and growth. It is a probable recharge Rea for the ground water for Howard springs recreation park which does not need further reduction in spring flow and spring water quality. In addition it is used by various running groups including the hash house harriers who incidentally had 2 runs there over the last 2 weeks. There is also a
Mosquito public health issue in
this area for closer semi urban or urban development. We need these areas to keep Darwin an attractive place to live.
It concerns me that the NT Government continues to rezone land parcels for future development which are further and further away from existing urban built up areas. They continue to ignore existing land holdings closer to Darwin with existing infrastructure on its front door. The current NT Government trend of Urban Sprawl is costing the NT unnecessary tax dollars, increased environmental disregard, and demonstrates a complete lack of coordination or consideration for proper town and infrastructure planning. If the NT Government is as dedicated as they claim to solving the current housing affordability crisis, they should assist current land developers to fast track their approvals and land releases, rather than hinder these existing projects and look for new ones!
It is unfortunate that those with a vested interest in saving the Pine Forrest may have to settle for their concerns falling on deaf ears! It would be nice to see the NT Government recognise the community value of this place and the time and effort that has gone into its development and ongoing management. This is a great opportunity for all MTB’s to make Government aware of the large existing and growing MTB community in Darwin and Palmerston and push for greater Government support. If they are going to take away this fantastic community resource than they should reinvest and provide greater support for other existing MTB tracks suck as Charles Darwin NP and Berrimah Hills.
A Government who supports its Community is a Government who has its Communities support!