Let’s team up: Yarrunga bike jump enthusiasts invited to help search for new location

Calling all users of Yarrunga Reserve, bike enthusiasts and residents, Council is conducting a review of bike jump facilities in the reserve and across Maroondah and is keen to hear from you!

Wyreena Ward Councillor Rob Steane, Chair of the Maroondah Community Safety Committee, said that as part of the municipal-wide review, Council is hoping to work closely with the community to provide a suitable spot for authorised bike jumps at Yarrunga Reserve, to replace the unauthorised bike jumps.

Cr Steane said a recent Council assessment of unauthorised bike jumps at Yarrunga Reserve has found that they are impacting on neighbouring properties, the environment, and other users of the reserve.

“Council is undertaking a strategic review of current bike jump facilities across the municipality, which includes assessing the demand for additional facilities in areas such as Yarrunga Reserve,” he said.

“The bike jumps which are constructed within parts of Yarrunga Reserve are found to be too close to residential properties; are impacting on local native vegetation and bushland areas; but most importantly are not safe for riders of all ages and ability,” Cr Steane said.

“As a result of Council’s assessment, the jumps that have been deemed unsafe, or in an unsuitable location, will be removed within the coming weeks,” he added.

Following the removal of the jumps, Council will undertake bushland rejuvenation works in the area to return it to its natural state.

“Maroondah has a vast diversity of flora and fauna, including many rare and threatened species who depend upon our various distinct habitat, including the yellow-tailed black cockatoo, a species declining in numbers in Victoria which resides in nearby bushland to Yarrunga Reserve,” Cr Steane said.

The area is also a habitat to the white-faced heron and the blotched blue-tongue lizard, both of which are classed as a protected species under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972.

“As part of this review, we are inviting users of Yarrunga Reserve, bike enthusiasts and residents to share their feedback. We want to work with the community, so that together we can provide a coordinated approach to the establishment of bike jump facilities in Maroondah that are respectful to our local environment and can be managed and maintained by Council in the interests of public safety,” Cr Steane added.

Consultation is open until 5pm, Friday 29 June 2020.

For further information, please contact Council on 1300 88 22 33 or email [email protected]