Management Plan for Gnangara and Pinjar Off-road Vehicle

8/9/2019 Management Plan for Gnangara and Pinjar Off-road Vehicle

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MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR

GNANGARA AND PINJAR

OFFROAD VEHICLE AREAS

PREPAREDBY:

TRAIL

BIKE

MANAGEMENT

AUSTRALIA

FOR: THEDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTANDCONSERVATION

August,2008

FinalVersion1.0


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GnangaraandPinjarOffRoadVehicleAreas Page2 ManagementPlanv1.0

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS______________________________________________________ 4

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

_______________________________________________________

5

INTRODUCTION ___________________________________________________________ 11

Context:TheControlofVehicles(OffRoadAreas)Act1978____________________________ 11

Context:DecisioninCoombesv ShireofGingin_____________________________________ 12

Context:TheGnangaraSustainabilityStrategy_______________________________________ 13

Context:TheWAStateTrailBikeStrategy___________________________________________ 14

Context:DepartmentofEnvironmentandConservationStrategicObjectives______________ 15

ManagementPlanObjectives_____________________________________________________ 16

Scope________________________________________________________________________ 16

PART1CURRENTSITUATION_______________________________________________ 17

AreaDescriptions_______________________________________________________________ 17

CurrentUtilisation______________________________________________________________ 21

AreaStrengthsandWeaknesses___________________________________________________ 23

Currentareamanagementandexpenditure_________________________________________ 26

PART2OPPORTUNITIESANDCONSTRAINTS___________________________________27

Landuse______________________________________________________________________ 27

UserSegments&Requirements___________________________________________________ 29

PART3PLANFORTHEFUTURE______________________________________________32

TheBigPicture_________________________________________________________________ 32

GeneralPrinciplesofTrailsDevelopment___________________________________________ 35

GNANGARAAREAPLAN_________________________________________________________ 38

PINJARAREAPLAN_____________________________________________________________ 50

PART4:MANAGEMENT_____________________________________________________ 58

RiskManagement______________________________________________________________ 58

SignageandControl_____________________________________________________________ 63

AreaManagement______________________________________________________________ 71

InspectionAndMaintenanceProcessesAndDocumentation___________________________ 73

RiderInduction

and

Education

____________________________________________________

75


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Enforcement___________________________________________________________________ 80

PART5:FUNDING__________________________________________________________82

Costestimates_________________________________________________________________ 82

Funding

sources

________________________________________________________________

85

CONCLUSION______________________________________________________________ 89

APPENDICES______________________________________________________________ 90

APPENDIX1: PrinciplesOfORVRiskManagement____________________________________ 91

APPENDIX2: ConceptSignagePlans_______________________________________________ 94

APPENDIX3: SurveyResults______________________________________________________ 95


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThisManagementPlanfortheGnangaraandPinjarOffRoadVehicleAreaswaspreparedbyTrail

BikeManagementAustraliaonbehalfoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservationbetween

February2008andJuly2008. Theprojectteamwishestothank allthosewhoparticipatedinthis

process,thosewhometwiththeconsultantsorwhothoughtfullyexpressedtheirviewsinwritingor

viatheonlinesurvey. Theconsultantsacknowledgetheadvice,assistanceandinformationprovided

bythefollowinggroupsandindividualsinthepreparationofthisstrategy:

ProjectSteeringCommittee

RodAnnearDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation PaulBrownDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation MikeMeinema DepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation ClaytonSandersDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation OwenDonovanDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation

Consultations

Wethankthefollowingfortheirtime,adviceandinformation theDepartmentofEnvironment

andConservation,ForestProductsCommission,CityofSwan,CityofWanneroo,theGnangara

SustainabilityStrategyprojectteam,localGnangaraandPinjarresidents,variousmotorbikeclubs

andgroups,andthetrailbikeridingcommunitywhocontributedviatheonlinesurveyandthepublic

meetings.

ReferenceGroup

Inparticularwewouldliketothanktheindividualswhovolunteeredtheirtimetoformandbepart

ofthetwoReferenceGroupsforeacharea.

DISCLAIMER

Theinformationinthisdocumentisintendedonlyfordiscussionpurposes. Itisnotastatementof

anypolicy

or

intention

of

any

of

the

organisations

mentioned

in

this

document.

It

is

not

alegal

opinion. Itmaycontainfactualerrors. Itmayomitrelevantinformation. Anyandallliabilityforany

lossordamagearisingfromanyrelianceuponanyinformationinthisdocumentisdisclaimed. Itis

stronglyrecommendedthatyouseeklegaladvicetoconfirmtheinformationinthisdocument.

TheManagementPlanfortheGnangaraandPinjarOffRoadVehicleAreashasbeenpreparedfor

theDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservationforthepurposeofdevelopingaframeworkfor

planningandmanagingoffroadvehicleactivitywithintheGnangaraandPinjarORVareas. This

reportmustnotbeusedforanyotherpurpose,norbyanyotherparty.


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EXECUTIVESUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

OffRoadVehicleAreassuchasGnangaraandPinjarplayanimportantelementinthecontroloftrail

andquad

bike

riding

in

Western

Australia

by

providing

alegal

opportunity

for

riders

of

non

road

registeredmotorcyclesandquadbikes,andpeople(includingjuniors)whodonotholdadrivers

licence torideonpublicland.

GnangaraandPinjarcombinedORVareasrepresentover95%oftheavailableOffRoadAreaswithin

thePerthmetropolitanarea. Assuchtheyarecriticallocationsintermsoftheobjectivesofthe

ControlOfVehicles(OffRoadAreas)Act1978.

OfmajorconsiderationintheplanningfortheseareasistheGnangaraSustainabilityStrategyand

theStateTrailBikeStrategy. TheGnangaraSustainabilityStrategy(GSS)isacrossgovernment

initiativeworking

to

optimise

the

land

and

water

use

on

the

Gnangara

Groundwater

System

for

the

period20082030. KeylandandwateruseissuesinthesetwoGSSsubareasthatmayimpactthe

ORVareasincluderemovalofthepinetreesandchangestolanduse. Escalatingcommunity

tensionsandriderconcernsovertheperceivedshrinkageoflegitimateridingopportunitiesledto

thedevelopmentoftheStateTrailBikeStrategyin2007ofwhichdevelopingManagementPlansfor

GnangaraandPinjarORVareaswerekeyrecommendations.

THECURRENTSITUATION

Gnangaraiscurrentlyinapoorstatewithrubbishisstrewnallover(includingtruckloadsofbuilding

rubbleandoldhouseholdappliances),themyriadtracksareheavysandandwhoopedout,which

meansthat

much

of

the

riding

is

done

on

the

main

access

road,

Centre

Way,

which

is

in

apoor

condition. Safetyisaconcernwithacrisscrossinggridoftrailswithahighriskofcollision,half

buriedobstaclessuchasoldcarspringsandothermetalobjects.

PinjarisaverysimilarareatoGnangara,butitislesswellknownandthereforelessheavilyused. It

isalsomuchlesspollutedandhasamajoradvantageinthatitisboundedonthreesidesbysealed

roads. GiventhisPinjarhasgreaterpotentialfordevelopmentintoaplannedandmanagedfacility.

SurveysfortheStateTrailBikeStrategyfoundthat31%ofrespondentsoccasionallyorregularlyride

atGnangaraand22%occasionallyorregularlyrodeatPinjar. Manywereunawareoftheexistence

oftheORVareas,formosttheywereseenasdangerous,attractedhoonridersandfullofsandy

whoopsthatwere notgoodforriding.

GNANGARAPINJARSURVEY2008LIKES/DISLIKESABOUTTHE2areaS

LIKESSTRENGTHS DISLIKES WEAKNESSES

Legal Noconflictinginterests Rubbish& dumpedcars Lackoffacilities

ProximitytoPerth Size Nomaintenance Irresponsibleriders

Varietyofterrain Trees Lackofrangerpatrols Poorsafety

LegalforChildren No trackdesign Lackofparking

Access fromGnangaraRd StateofCentreWay

Treebranches& stumps


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OPPORTUNITIESANDCONSTRAINTS

Currentareamanagementislimited,rangerandpolicepresenceisveryrareandthefundsprovided

fortheareatodatehavebeenspentonfencingandnottoupgradefacilitiesortrails.

Investigationintofuturelanduserequirementsforeachareashowsthatthereisnocurrent

pressurefor

the

areas

to

be

excised

out

of

State

forest

for

housing

or

industrial

lands

and

so

both

areashaveanexpectedsecurityoftenureasORVareasofatleast10years.

PLANFORTHEFUTURE

Pinjarisgenerallyrecognisedashavinggreaterlongtermpotential,asitisborderedbysealedroads

onthreesides,haspotentialforexpansiontothenorthandcouldbecomeastartingpointfora

futuredestinationtrailridenorthtoYanchep. Howeverwiththecontinuedgrowthinthenumberof

ridersandthegreaterdrawingpowerofanimprovedfacility themoreareas,thegreaterwillbe

thedispersionofriders. Itisconsideredthatthepotentialnumberofuserscouldbe:

On

any

given

Saturday

or

Sunday

between

230

310

bikes

could

be

at

Gnangara.

OnanygivenSaturdayorSundaybetween300450bikescouldbeatPinjar.Takingalloftheaboveconsiderationsintoaccounttherecommendationsareto:

1. ContinuetomaintainboththeGnangaraandPinjarareasatleastinthemediumtermandindefinitelyifongoingdemandwarrants.

2. Investinbasicinfrastructureforbothfacilitiesintermsofa. Parkingareasb. Toilets

3.

Prioritise

the

elements

that

will

achieve

the

greatest

outcomes

in

attracting

riders

and

managing

risk,ie;

a. Trailsdevelopmentb. Signage

4. Placedevelopment(hencebudgetary)emphasisonPinjar,tomakethisapreferredlocation,especiallyforfamilies.

GNANGARAareaPLAN

Vision acleaner,saferandmorestructuredfacilitythancurrent,whilststillretaininganun

developedfeel.

SUPPORTEDUSES

NOT

SUPPORTED

DIFFICULTY

RATINGS

PeeWeeKidscircuitunder10

years,supervised

Novice/Kidscircuitlearners

JuniorMXpracticecircuit

SeniorMXpracticecircuit

NaturalTerrainMXpractice

circuit

FamilyTrailsnetwork

Endurotrailsnetwork

TrialsPracticearea

PracticeSupercross

Circuit

Freestyle/jumps

Racing

Junior/Novicetrails4km14%

Intermediatetrails10km35%

Advancedtrails15km50%


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FacilitieswouldincludeanaccessroadfromGnangaraRoadtothecarparks(maincarpark,

secondarycarparkandjuniortrailscarpark),atoiletblock,potablewater,picnicbenchesandan

informationboard/shelter.

CapacityindicatorsshowthatGnangaracancaterforaround560visitorsatatime.

WorkPriorities TheimplementationoftheGnangaraplanshouldbalancetheriskmanagement

prioritiesofDECwiththeprioritiesasstatedbytheusersofthearea:

1. Cleanuptherubbishandpreventitfromaccumulatinginthefuture2. Fixtheentryroad,includingtheintersectionofGnangaraRdandCentreWayandbasic

repairstocurrentparkingareas

3. Entrysignageandnoticeboard4. Createconcepttrails5. Resourceareamanagement6. Controlthebehaviourofhoons7. Makeanareasaferandmoresuitableforkids8. Developnetworkofonewaytrails9. Improvedparking/picnicfacilities/Toilets10.Ongoingdevelopmentofprecinctsandtrails

TherearethreekeychallengesinrealisingthedevelopmentgoalsforGnangara. Theyare:

1.PreventingusersoftheOffRoadVehicleAreafromaccessingCentreWay.

2.Definingthenewtrailsinawaythateliminatesintersectionswithexistingroutesandavoidsthe

cuttingofnewintersectingtrails.

3.Removalofpinetrees

PINJARareaPLAN

Vision Awellplanned,welldevelopedandwellmaintainedOffRoadMotorcyclefacilitythatcanbe

usedasamodelforfutureORVAreaplanning.

SUPPORTEDUSES NOTSUPPORTED DIFFICULTYRATINGS

PeeWeeKidscircuitunder10

years,supervised

Novice/Kidscircuitlearners

JuniorMXpracticecircuit

SeniorMXpracticecircuit

Natural

Terrain

MX

practice

circuit

FamilyTrailsnetwork

Endurotrailsnetwork

TrialsPracticearea

Freeridingareas

PracticeSupercross

Circuit

Freestyle/jumps

Racing

Junior/Novicetrails10km35%

Intermediatetrails12.5km45%

Advancedtrails5.5km20%

Facilities PinjarhasmorelongtermdevelopmentpotentialthanGnangara,andthisshouldbe

reflectedinbetterqualityfacilities. IncludinganaccessroadfromWescoRoadtothemaincarpark,

toiletblock,drinkingwaterandasecondarycarparkoffOldYanchepRoadwithpicnicbenches.

CapacityindicatorsshowthatPinjarcancaterforaround530visitorsatatime.


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WorkPriorities TheimplementationofthePinjar planshouldbalancetheriskmanagement

prioritiesofDECwiththeprioritiesasstatedbytheusersofthearea:

1. Entrysignageandnoticeboard2. Createconcepttrails3. CreatemainentranceoffWescoRdandcarpark4. Developandsignaprecinctforjuniorriders5. Developinitialnetworkofonewaytrails6. Improvedparking/picnicfacilities/Toilets7. Ongoingdevelopmentofprecinctsandtrails

PinjarisseenasasignificantlyeasierareatodevelopthanGnangara.

TransitionStrategy

Thisworkisnotgoingtooccuroverashortconcentratedperiod,neitherwilltheareasbeclosed

whilstworksareundertaken. AccordinglyaTransitionStrategy(detailplan,stages,timing,

dependenciesand

resourcing)

has

been

provided

to

move

gradually,

as

funding

permits,

from

the

currentenvironmenttotheproposednewdesigns.

RISKMANAGEMENT

Alltrailandquadbikeridinginvolvessomerisk. Mostriskiswithinthecontroloftherideriethe

ridersresponsibilitytoknowthecapabilitiesandlimitationsofthevehicleandtoridewithinhisor

herlimitsofstrength,experienceandskill. Thelandmanagersdutyofcareislimitedinthisregard,

astheparticipantisassumedtounderstandtherisksoftheactivityandtobemakinghisorherfree

choicetoengageinit.

There

are

other

risks

that

are

not

inherent

to

the

activity,

but

which

derive

from

the

nature

of

the

environment.Thesearetherisksofgreatestconcerntothelandmanager,foritcanbesaidthat

thesearerisksthatareorshouldbeknowntothelandmanagerbutwhichcannotbeexpected

tobeknownintuitivelybytheriderandarethereforenotobviousrisks.

ARiskMatrixhasbeenprovidedoutliningtherisk,itsimpact,likelihood,severityandmitigation

strategyforbothGnangaraandPinjar. Thekeyriskrecommendationsare:

1. Anetworkofsigned,onewaytrailsshouldbedevelopedwithprecinctsfordifferentridingstyles. Thesearetheareaswherealevelofmaintenanceandriskmanagementisprovided.

2. Ridingisnotprohibitedoutsidetheseareasbutisdiscouraged,andtheparticipantassumesagreater

responsibility

for

their

own

safety.

3. All4wayintersectionsonthedesignatedtrailsshouldbeeliminatedbyreroutingtheintersectingtrailsand/orinstallingnaturalbarricadesviamoundsofloggingremnants.

4. Priortoopeningeachtrailshouldbeassessedforhazardsandaconsciousdecisionmadewhethertoaccept,eliminate,reduceortransfertheriskoneachidentifiedhazard.

5. ARiskRegistershouldbedeveloped,documentingtheobservedhazardsandtheconsideredapproachtoeach. TheRiskRegistercanalsoserveasachecklistforanyremediationwork

required(SeeTable1)

6. Allvisitorsshouldbeaskedtoreportanyobservedhazards(egtreesdownovertrack,rockfallsetc). AdditionallymembersoftheFriendsof..canberecruitedasvolunteertrailpatrolin

ordertoincreasethevigilanceovertrailconditions(seeManagementsection).

7. AscheduleoftrailinspectionsshouldbeestablishedtoperiodicallyreviewtheRiskRegister.


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8. Ridereducation,visiblerangerpatrolsandincreasedenforcementisnecessarytochangetheculture,improvebehaviorandreducerisk.

9. Physical,educationandenforcementstrategiesarerequiredtoeliminateoffroadvehiclesoperatingonCentreWay,GnangaraandWattleAve,Pinjar.

SIGNAGEANDCONTROL

Signsarearecognisedmethodforsupervisionofaremotelocation. Legally,thebenefitofan

appropriatelyplaced signisthatitbringstheforeseeablerisktotheattentionofthepersonatthat

location. Appropriate signagemakesastatementaboutthemanagementoftheoperationandthe

commitmenttocaringforthesafetyofandcontrollingthebehaviourofparticipants.

TheConceptSignagePlan(Appendix)providesconceptsfor:

Generalwarningsignage thefirstsignageencounteredwhenenteringtheORVarea. Informationsignage generallayoutofarea,locationoffacilities,emergencyinformation,area

andPrecinctboundaries,codeofconduct,currentissuessuchasmaintenanceclosures

Trailsinformation providesconfidencetoparticipantsthattheyareontherighttrailandheadingintherightdirection.

ControlsignageprovidesinstructionstoparticipantsthatmustbefollowedsuchasStop,GiveWay,MaximumSpeed,DoNotEnter

Cautionsignage usedtodrawspecificattentiontounexpectedhazards.AREAMANAGEMENT

OngoingmanagementisrequiredforGnangaraandPinjarforboththephysicalamenities(trails,

parkingareas,toilets,signage)andsocial/behaviouralmanagementoftheareausersandvisitors.

CreationofaFriendsOflocalmanagementprogramisseenascriticaltotheongoing

effectivenessof

the

areas.

This

includes

providing

volunteers

for

track

maintenance,

trail

guides

or

hostsandmarketingandeducationprograms.

AstaffedorcontractedProgramManagerwouldprovideprofessionalassistance,adviceand

relevantexpertisetotheDECDistrictManagerinrelationtothemanagement,maintenanceand

marketingoftheORVareas.

RIDERINDUCTIONANDEDUCATION

Riderinductionandeducationiscriticaltoreduceriskandfosterdesiredbehaviours.

Usersoftheareasneedtoknowaboutgeneralrisk,safetygear,thetrailsprecinctsandnetwork,

wherethe

area

boundaries

are,

they

need

to

understand

the

signage,

where

speed

restrictions

apply,codeofconduct,registrationrequired,emergencyinformationandinterpretiveinformation.

Astheareasarenotpermanentlystaffed,thereisnomechanismtoensurethatridershavereceived

orunderstoodthesafetyandcontrolmessages. AccordinglytheORVareasmustrelyonsignageon

siteandinformationprovided(ormadeavailable)tovisitorsbeforetheirvisit. Riderscanbe

educatedatthestartoftheirridebyprovidingthemwithmaps,interpretativeinformationandthe

areasrulesandregulationsandpriortotheirvisitsviaawebsiteandprintedmaterialsdistributed

throughretailersandlocalcouncils.


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ENFORCEMENT

Enforcementisamajorchallenge. Theabilitytoconducteffectiveenforcementiscurrentlyhindered

byresourceconstraintsandlackofclarityoverresponsibilities.

Boththegeneralcommunityandthetrailbikeridershaveexpressedconcernovernuisanceand

illegalbehavior.

The

lack

of

enforcement

is

listed

as

one

of

the

main

reasons

why

riders

do

not

use

theareas. Peoplevisitingtheareasneedtoseebothpoliceandrangerpresencetoindicatethat

nuisanceandillegalbehaviourwillnotbetolerated.

AnEnforcementstrategyneedstobedevelopedbetweenDEC,WAPoliceandtheCityofSwan/City

ofWannerootoestablishthenewcodeofconductandtoreinforcetherequiredchanges.

FUNDING

Fundingestimatesrequireapproximately$2mover3yearsforcapitalworks,trailsdevelopment,

maintenance,managementandcommunications.

Thereare

several

sources

of

funding

for

capital

works

and

/or

ongoing

management

including

DEC

Departmentalbudgeting,interdepartmentalbudgetingandgrantfunding. Optionsarealso

consideredforaUserPaysschemeandcommercialsponsorshipopportunities.

CONCLUSION

Thereiscommonagreementbetweenriders,thecommunity,landmanagersandenforcement

agenciesthatareasneedtobesetasidefortrailbikeriding.

WesternAustraliahasamechanismtoenableareasofpubliclandtobegazettedasOffRoadVehicle

Areas,butthecurrentareassimplydonotattractenoughriderstofulfiltheirobjectivesindrawing

ridersaway

from

areas

where

environmental

damage

or

social

nuisance

is

caused.

DEChasanopportunitytoredevelopthetwomainmetropolitanridingareasandmakethem

significantlymoreviable. IndoingsoDECwillbe:

helpingtoprotectotherbushlandfromnonauthorisedORVuse maximisingsocialutilityfromlandthatotherwisehaslittleattraction providingimprovedfacilitiesforalargeandgrowinggroupofoutdoorrecreationalists. bereducingitsownriskasalandoccupier, establishamodelthatotherlandmanagerssuchasLGAscanfollow, gainexperienceinmanagingtrailbikeaccessinalowenvironmentalvalueareathatcan

thenbeadaptedandappliedinotherDECmanagedareas


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INTRODUCTION

OffRoadVehicleAreassuchasGnangaraandPinjarprovidealegalopportunityforridersofnon

roadregistered

motorcycles

and

quad

bikes,

and

people

(including

juniors)

who

do

not

hold

a

driverslicence torideonpublicland.

Byprovidingalegitimateoutletforthispopularandgrowingrecreationalactivity,theseareasare

intendedtolessentheincidenceofillegalridingofunregisteredbikesinstateforests,nationalparks

andotherareaswhereenvironmentalandsocialconcernsarefelt. Assuchtheyplayanimportant

elementinthecontroloftrailandquadbikeridinginWesternAustralia.

ThelandatGnangaraandPinjariscontrolledbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation

(DEC). DEChasavestedinterestintheeffectivenessofthesevenuesasacontrolmechanism,and

hasrecognised

that:

a) Themoreattractivetheseareasbecometoridersthemoreeffectivetheywillbeinreducingtheincidenceofillegalanddestructiveridingelsewhere

b) ControloftheareasexposesDECtoDutyofCareobligationsundertheOccupiersLiabilityAct.

ThisManagementPlanisintendedtoaddressbothissues.

Context:The

Control

of

Vehicles

(Off

Road

Areas)

Act

1978

WAisuniqueamongstAustralianstatesinthatitistheonlystatethatdeclaresOffRoadVehicle

Areas(ORVareas)onpubliclandforthebenefitofridersofbikesandquadsthatarenotroad

registered,andforriders,especiallyjuniors,whodonotpossessadriverslicence.

ThemechanismforthisistheControlOfVehicles(OffRoadAreas)Act1978.

TheActwasproclaimedin1978whenthegrowingpopularityoftrailbikeridingandconcernsover

socialandenvironmentalimpactpromptedtheneedforsomelegislativecontrolovertheactivity.

TheintentionoftheActwastoenableLocalGovernmentAuthoritiestodeclareprohibitedareas

wheretheridingofnonroadregisteredvehiclescouldbedisallowed,whileestablishingmore

suitableareaswheretheactivitycouldtakeplace.

Initiallysevenareasweregazetted,howeverseveraloftheseweresubsequentlydegazetteddueto

theexpansionofthemetropolitanareaand/or concernsoverpublicliability.

TherearecurrentlyfivedesignatedoffroadvehicleareasforridersfromthePerthmetropolitan

regionandonesmallareainYork.Theseareasare:


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AREA APPROXSIZE DESIGNATEDFOR:

Lancelin(incLedgePoint) 400Ha ORVsofallclassesandsizes,

includingbuggies

Gnangara

225

Ha

Motorcycles,

Quads

Pinjar 250Ha Motorcycles, Quads

Chidlow1 N/A JuniorMX

Medina(Kwinana)2 20Ha Motorcycles

York 2Ha Motorcycles

ItcanbeseenthattheGnangaraandPinjarcombinedORVareasrepresentover95%oftheavailable

OffRoad

Areas

within

the

Perth

metropolitan

area,

and

over

50%

when

Lancelin

is

included.

As

such

theyarecriticallocationsintermsoftheobjectivesoftheAct.

TheControlofVehicles(OffRoadAreas)Act1978(CVOAA)isadministeredbylocalgovernmentand

isguidedbyanAdvisoryCommitteeconsistingofrepresentativesfromLocalGovernment,offroad

vehicleand4WDusers,andtheagencyresponsibleforadministeringtheCALMAct1984.

Context:DecisioninCoombesv- ShireofGingin

OccupiersLiabilityisaconcernforallpubliclandmanagersandespeciallywherethepublicis

permittedtoengageinactivitiesthatcarryriskonthatland. Liabilityconcernshavebeen

responsibleforatleastoneOffRoadVehicleAreaclosure,theattemptstoclosetwoothers,andthe

reluctanceofLocalGovernmenttoestablishnewgazettedareas.

TheissueofOccupiersLiabilityreceivedguidancewhenonOctober12,2007JudgeKeenhanded

downhisdecisionontheCoombesvShireofGinginCase.

InthiscasetheJudgefoundGinginShirepartiallyresponsible(60%)fortheinjuriessustainedbyMr

Coombeswhenhedroppedoffarazorbackduneonhismotorcycle. Theresponsibilitywassaidto

resultprimarilythroughthelackofadequatewarningsignageabouttheinherentdangersofthe

areas,particularlytheunpredictabledropoffsthatcanoccurthroughwindactiononthedunes.

Importantly,JudgeKeensaidinhisdecisionthatthereshouldhavebeennoonusonGinginShireto

regularlyinspectthedunes,oridentifyparticulardunesthatwereespeciallyhazardous,orplace

signsaroundthedunestowarnofspecificdangersorexcludethepublicfromthearea.Torequire

1VestedintheJuniorMotocrossClubjuniorsonlymotocrosstrackandnotavailabletothepublic.

2After18monthsoftemporaryclosurethisareawasreopenedonJuly1,2008afteradecisionbythe

Ministerfor

Local

Government.


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GinginShiretodosowouldhavebeenunreasonableinthecontextoftheconstantlychanging

conditionsofthearea.

ThisManagementPlanwilladdressissuesofOccupiersLiabilitywithregardtotheCoombev

GinginShiredecisionandotherprecedentsundertheOccupiersLiabilityandCivilLiabilitiesActs.

Context:TheGnangaraSustainabilityStrategy

TheGnangaraSustainabilityStrategy(GSS)isacrossgovernmentinitiativeworkingtooptimisethe

landandwateruseontheGnangaraGroundwaterSystemfortheperiod20082030. Thesystem

provides60%ofPerthsdrinkingwaterandisthemostimportantdrinkingwaterresourcein

WesternAustralia. BoththePinjarandGnangaraORVareasarelocatedwithintheGSSstudyarea

TheGSSfocusesprincipallyonlanduseandlandmanagementissuesastheyrelatetowaterquality

andquanityissues. Variouslanduseoptionswillbeassessedagainstaquadruplebottomline

water,biodiversity,

social

and

economic

impacts.

The

GSS

study

area

is

divided

into

30

sub

areas

thePinjarandGnangaraORVareasarelocatedintheGSSWestPinjarandGnangaraSubareas.

KeylandandwateruseissuesinthesetwoGSSsubareasthatmayimpacttheORVareasinclude:

ProposedhorticulturalprecinctthatmayincludetheclearedpineareasinWestPinjar ProposedstrategicroadingfromAlexanderAvenueorBeechboroRoadnorthtoWattle

Avenueimpactingbothareas.

ThedecisionbyGovernmenttoremovethe22,000haofpineplantationfromtheGnangaraMound

via

aState

Agreement

over

25

years

(2002

2027).

According

to

the

GSS3

numerous

studieshavedemonstratedthatdenseplantationsonthedeepsandyprofileseliminate

rechargetotheaquifers. Adecisiontoreplantanyofthislandwithalternativeforestry

cropshasnotyetbeenmade.

Todeterminepostpinelanduseofthe22,000haofStateforestforconservation,recreation,alternativetreecrops,maximisinggroundwaterrechargeandcommercialuses.

ThecontinuedsupportofthecurrentORVareasisincludedinthismixofpossiblefuture

landusesfortheplantationareas.

AddingtothecomplexityofthemanagementoftheseplantationshasbeenthediscoveryofanextensiveEuropeanHouseBorerinfestation. TheDepartmentofAgricultureandFood(DAFWA)iskeenfor100%ofpinetoberemovedfromGnangaraPlantationandtheWest

PinjarareaofPinjarPlantationASAP. FPCandDECareinconsultationwithDAFWAto

determinespeedofclearfellanditssequence.

3

http://portal.water.wa.gov.au/portal/page/portal/gss/Projects/PlantationForestryProject


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Context:TheWAStateTrailBikeStrategy

Escalatingcommunitytensionsandriderconcernsovertheperceivedshrinkageoflegitimateriding

opportunitiesledtothedevelopmentoftheWAStateTrailBikeStrategyin2007.

WesternAustraliaisexperiencingrapidgrowthinpopularityofrecreationaltrailbikeriding.Salesof

offroad

motorcycles

and

quad

bikes

increased

by

66%

between

2004

and

2006

and

while

no

precise

totalnumbersexist,itisestimatedthataround50,000trailbikesexistandareriddeninWA. Quad

bikesareverypopularwithsalesinWArepresenting40%oftotalnationalsales.

Againstthisbackdropofarapidlygrowingrecreationweareseeinganequallyrapidurbanspread,

bringingresidentialareasintocloseproximitytotraditionalridingspots. Ratherthankeepingpace

withthegrowthinORVusetherehasactuallybeenasignificantreductionindesignatedOffRoad

Vehicleareasandclosureofavailabletracksandtrails. Thelackofdesignatedareashascontributed

toaproliferationofunofficial,andoftenillegal,ridingareas. Thesearecausingincreasing

communityconcernovernoise,safety,environmentaldamage,illegalridingandgeneralnuisance.

TherehasbeenasignificantreductionindesignatedOffRoadVehicleareasfromeightin1978to

justfourin2007. Severalofthoseremainingareunderpressuretoclose,primarilyduetotheLocal

Governmentcustodiansnotwantingtheoperationalandlegalresponsibility,whilethelackof

design,managementandmaintenancemakethemunattractiveformanyriders.

Theyareadisgrace. MywifewillnotgotoPinjarandGnangaraastheyare

fullofrubbishandcarwrecks. Thestupidityofotherridersisalsoarealworry

nohelmets,noboots,noisyoldbikesandmanyilldisciplinedridersjust

hooningabout. Itfeelsunsafe. RespondenttoRiderSurvey

Thelackofsuitableareastorideismostkeenlyfeltbyjuniorridersandridersofbikesnotabletobe

registered. SomeofthebiggestgrowthinmotorbikeownershipisinthecategoriesofATVs,mini

bikesandmotocrossbikesandjuniorriders.Thecontinuinggrowthinsalesofbikeswhichcannotbe

legallyriddenonpublicroadsiscreatingincreaseddemandforlegalvenuestoride.Additional

pressureiscomingfromparentsofjuniorridersseekinglegalandsafeareastoride. Inparticular

thiscausesproblemsforfamilieswhowishtoridetogetherandmayhaveamixofregisteredand

unregisteredbikesandATVstheironlyoptionsaretorideonprivatelandorinthedesignatedoff

roadvehicleareas.

Lackof

information

about

the

ORV

areas

was

also

highlighted

as

an

issue

in

the

State

Trail

Bike

Strategy. VeryfewridersknowabouttheOffRoadVehicleRegistrationneededtolegallyrideinthe

ORVareas,andanumberofridersdontevenknowabouttheexistenceoftheORVareas.

Didnotknowtheyexisted,IonlyknewabouttheoneoffThomasRoad

(Medina)andthathasbeenclosedforseveralmonthsnowdontknowwhy?

HowdoIfindthem? RespondenttoStateTrailBikeStrategyRiderSurvey

DesignatedORVareasplayanimportantroleintheprovisionoffacilitiesforunlicensedand

unregisteredORVusers,andareanimportantstrategyinreducingtheincidenceofillegalridingof

vehiclesinreserves,stateforestsandnationalparks. Yetthecurrentareasarenotmanagedfor


15/125


sustainabilityandasaresultareinapoorstate,notviewedfavourablybyridersandthereforedo

notattractasmanyridersastheycouldandshould.

Fromthelandmanagerperspective,offroadvehicleareasandtrailsposeissuesofrisk,liability,and

costsofinsurance,management,maintenanceandotherresources.

StateTrailBikeStrategyRecommendations:

DevelopingManagementPlansforGnangaraandPinjarORVareaswasakeyrecommendationofthe

StateTrailBikeStrategy. Thepreparationofthismanagementplanalignswiththefollowing

recommendationsfromtheStateTrailBikeStrategy:

1.04 DevelopManagementPlansforexistingORVareastoreduceriskofinjuryandlitigation.2.021 ExistingORVareastoberedevelopedwithplannedfacilitydesigntoattractriders.

3.01 CreateLocalManagementCommitteestomanageindividualORVareas. DevelopaTermsofReference

and

Management

Guidelines

for

these

Committees.

ThefollowingtablefromtheStrategyoutlinestherecommendationsforthe2areas:

OFFROADVEHICLEarea RECOMMENDATION

GNANGARA Intensiveredevelopmentneededtoconvertfromawastelandintoa

plannedandmanagedfacility. Couldbesegmentedintoseveral

specialinterestzones. SubjecttooutcomesofGnangarasustainability

strategy.

PINJAR

Significantdevelopment

potential

with

better

access

than

Gnangara

providingforeasiersegmentationintouserzones. Needsproper

planningandmanagement/maintenanceplantoensure

sustainability.

Context:DepartmentofEnvironmentandConservationStrategicObjectives

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation(WesternAustralia)wasestablishedon1July

2006,bringingtogethertheDepartmentofEnvironmentandtheDepartmentofConservationand

LandManagement.

ThedepartmenthastheleadresponsibilityforprotectingandconservingtheStatesenvironmenton

behalfofthepeopleofWesternAustralia.ThisincludesmanagingtheStatesnationalparks,marine

parks,conservationparks,Stateforestsandtimberreserves,naturereserves,marinenature

reservesandmarinemanagementareas.

AmongtheDepartmentseightkeyobjectivesaremanagingnaturalresourcesandpromoting

environmentallysustainablepractices,creatingaWorldClassParksSystem,implementing

sustainableforestmanagementandmaintainingcommunityinvolvementandsupport.


16/125


TrailbikeridingcanprovideanothermeansbywhichpeoplecanappreciatetheStatesnatural

environmentandbiodiversity,butitmustbeproperlymanagedifitistobeanenvironmentally

sustainableactivitythatcomplementsratherthanconflictswithotherformsofforestuse.

CreatingopportunitiesfortrailbikeridersindesignatedOffRoadVehicleareascanplayan

importantrole

in

shifting

trail

bike

riding

from

an

unmanaged

to

amanaged

activity.

It

can

also

reinforcesustainableridingconceptssuchasstayingonmarkedtrailswhichwillbenefitnotonlythe

ORVareasbutotherDECmanagedlands. WorkingwiththetrailridingcommunitywillassistDECto

betterunderstandandplanfortrailbikeridingasanactivity.

ManagementPlanObjectives

TheobjectivesofthisManagementPlanare:

1. Toaddressimmediateissuesofrisk.2. ToplanataregionallevelandconsiderappropriaterolesforeachofGnangaraandPinjar.3. Tocreatearearedevelopmentplansthatensuretheareasdeliver:

a. riskmitigationforDECasoccupierofthelandb. asatisfyingexperienceforridersandtheirfamiliesc. asafeenvironmentwithintheconstraintsoftheinherentrisksassociatedwithoff

roadvehicleuse

d. asustainableenvironmentthatcanmaintainitsattractivenessovertimee. theabilitytocaterforincreasingnumberofusers

4. Toestablishfundingandmanagementmechanismsthatplacethetwoareasonsustainablefootings.

5. Totransitiontheareasfromtheircurrentstatetoachievethelongtermvision,suchthat

6. TheareasattractriderstotheORVareasandawayfromotherareaswithgreaterenvironmentalandsocialimpacts.

Scope

Thescopeofthisprojectconsidersthecurrentissuesandriskswithinbothareasandproposesre

developmentplansalongwithrecommendationsforfuturemanagementoftheareas.

Onthatbasisconsultationoccurredwithriders,selfidentifiedandaffectedresidentsandthe

relevantlocalgovernments(WannerooandSwan).

Theaimoftheprojectwasnottodecidewhethertheareasshouldremainorcloseandonthatbasis

widespreadnonridingcommunityconsultationwasnotundertaken.


17/125


PART1CURRENTSITUATION

AreaDescriptions

Name GnangaraORVAreaLocation CnrCentreWayand GnangaraRds Lexia

31.795452,115.915375

34.5kmbyroadfromPerthCBD

LGA CityofSwanUnderDECcontrol

ApproxArea 225Ha

AreaPerimeter 10.8kmapprox

Status DesignatedORVAreaa)Motorcycles125cc

Terrain Pineforest,sandy

Facilities TheORVareaiscompletelyfencedusingaringlockfenceandpadlocked

gates(althoughmostgatesare open).DECprovideddesignatedcar

parkingin2004butthesewerenotmaintainedand arenolonger

recognisable.

Maintenance None

Description GnangaraisthemajoroffroadvehicleareawithinthePerthmetropolitan

region.

TheareaisDEClandanditisunderstoodthatatthetimeofproclamation

asanoffroadvehicleareatheintentionwasfor theCityofSwanto

managethe

facility.

Gnangarawasestablishedwithgoodintentionsbutlittleplanningand it

appearsthatlittledevelopmentormaintenancehasoccurredfor adecade

ormore. Asaresulttheareaisnotinastatethatisattractivetoridersor

reflectswellonthemanagementofthearea.Theareahasbeenlittered

withtruckloadsofrubbish,themyriadtracksareboggyandwhoopedout,

andthe mainaccessroad,CentreWay,isinsuchpoorconditionthatmost

visitorsparkascloseaspossibletoGnangaraRd,creatingcongestionin

theSouthEastcornerofthefacilityand leavingtheremaining90%

sparselyused.

Itistestimonyonlytothe desperationofridersfor alegalvenuethatso

manyofthemstillutilisethisarea.

Safety

UnliketheLancelinORVarea,nospecificrecordsofinjuriesare

maintainedfor theGnangaraoffroadvehiclearea. Therehaveoverthe

yearsbeenanumberoffatalitiesandseriousinjuries.

Pineplantationshavesomeinherentrisks. Mostsignificantisthenetwork

offaststraighttracksgoingbothnorthsouthandeastwest. Thiscreates

acriss

crossing

grid

with

ahigh

risk

of

collision.

In

the

more

densely

treed


18/125


areasthisproblemisexacerbatedbypoorsightlinesofupcoming

intersections.

Treerootsand stumpsposeanaturalhazard,butofmoresignificanceand

concerntoridersistherubbishandhalfburiedobstaclessuchasold car

springsandothermetalobjects.

Thesandynatureofthesoilmeansthattracksquicklybecomeboggyand

whoopedout. Thiscreateschallengingridingfor themoreexperienced

rideronlargermorepowerfulbikes,but isnofun for noviceridersor

thoseonsmallerwheeledmachines. Asaresultmuchoftheridingat

Gnangaradoesnotoccurwithinthepineforeststhemselvesbutonthe

mainlimestoneaccessroad(CentreWay)thatrunsalongthe eastern

perimeterofthe area.

Itiscommontoseemotorcyclesofall sizesandages,quadbikes,four

wheeldrivesandbuggiestearingupand downthisroadwayathighspeed.

Manytrail

bike

and

quad

riders

using

the

area

do

not

wear

helmets

or

othersafetygear,andthecarryingofpillionpassengersiscommon

(usuallyonmotorcycleswithnopillionfootpegs).

Themostrecentfatalityoccurredwhenariderlostcontrolonthe

limestoneroadand fellfromhismotorcycle. Hewasnot wearinga

helmet.

Risk

Therearecurrentlynowarningsignsonentrytotheareainfactno

signagetoevenindicatethattheareaisanOffRoadVehiclearea.

Oneconclusion

that

can

be

drawn

is

that

by

not

undertaking

any

maintenanceofthearea,orattemptingtoenforcelevelsofacceptable

behaviour,orevenrecognisingtheexistenceoftheareabysignage,the

occupierofthelandisdistancingthemselvesfromtheactivities

undertakenwithinthe areaandtherebyreducingtheproximitythatis

onetestofadutyofcare.

HoweverGnangaraisanofficiallyproclaimedOffRoadVehicleAreaunder

theControlofVehicles(OffRoadAreas)Act 1978andispromotedbythe

DepartmentofLocalGovernmentand RegionalDevelopmentassuch.

In

the

context

of

the

Civil

Liabilities

Amendment

Act,

it

would

be

difficult

for DEC and/ortheCityofSwantomountadefenceagainstreckless

disregardfor safety,giventhelackofanyevidencetothecontrary.

Compliance

TheGnangaraORV areahasbeengazettedintwoareasmotorcyclesless

than125ccand motorcyclesgreaterthan125cc. Inpracticethisisan

impracticalclassificationbecauseitmayprevent,for example,families

ridingtogether. But irrespectiveofenginecapacity,theareaisgazetted

for motorcycles,not buggiesandfourwheeldrives.

UnlikeLancelin,

where

regular

Ranger

presence

enforces

wearing

of


19/125


helmets, encourages(andsometimesenforces)ORV Registrationand

providesinformationaboutareaboundaries,thereisverylimitedRanger

presence(or anyotherauthority)atGnangara. Asaresultthereislittle

guidanceprovidedtousersoftheareaandthishasresultedinahighlevel

ofunacceptablebehaviourprevailing.

FewvehiclesareORVregistered,safetyequipmentisoftennot worn,and

theridingatspeedthroughtheaccessroadposesasignificantsafetyrisk

toparticipantsand thepublic.

Accessatnightbyvandals,hoonsandcar thievesalsoposesamajor

problem.

Preclusions FuturecullingofthepineplantationstoreducestressontheGnangara

moundwatersourcecouldreduceavailableareafor ORV use.

Potential Theareaiswelllocatedtoservicethenorthernsuburbsandislarge

enoughtoproperlyaccommodatemanytimesmoremotorcyclesthan

currently.

Withproper

planning

and

suitable

investment,

Gnangara

could

bedevelopedintoanattractivefacilityfor ORVuse.


20/125


Name PinjarORVAreaLocation WattleRdPinjar(OppositeWannerooRaceway)andWescoRd

31.65955496536633,115.7920789718628

40.6kmbyroadfromPerthCBD

LGA CityofWanneroo

ApproxArea 250 Ha

AreaPerimeter 8.6kmapprox

Status DesignatedORVAreaa)Motorcycles125cc

Terrain Pineforest,sandy

Facilities None

Maintenance None

Description PinjarisaverysimilarareatoGnangara,but itislesswellknownand

thereforeless

heavily

used.

It

is

also

much

less

littered,

although

it

seems

thatwhereverthereisatrailleadingintoaforestrubbishdumpinghas

occurred.

PinjarhasamajoradvantageoverGnangarainthatitisboundedonthree

sidesbysealedroads. Thiswouldprovideopportunitiesfor thecreationof

zonedareastosuitdifferentpurposes.

Itsuffersfromthesameproblemofthesandyconditionsleadingtoa

morethandesirableamountofridingoccurringonthelimestoneaccess

roads.

Safety

Noinjuryrecordshavebeenmaintainedfor thePinjararea.

Risk

TheareaissignpostedasanOffRoadVehiclearea,butthereare no

obviousriskwarningsattheentrypoints.

Compliance

ThereislittleornoevidenceofRangerpatroland few vehiclesappearto

beORV

registered.

General

observations

and

anecdotal

comments

from

ridersindicateagenerallyhigherlevelofriderresponsibilitythanat

Gnangara.

Potential Giventhe sealedroadaccessand generallybettercondition, Pinjarhas

greaterpotentialfor developmentintoaplannedand managedfacility

thandoesGnangara.


21/125


CurrentUtilisation

Gnangarainparticulargetsverybusyonweekends,howevermostrespondentstotheStateTrail

BikeStrategyridersurveyindicatedanunwillingnesstorideatthedesignatedORVareas.

Where do you regularly ride? (check all that apply)

answer options NeverOnceonly Occasionally Regularly

GnangaraOffRoadVehicleArea 56% 15% 20% 10%

PinjarOffRoadVehicleArea 68% 10% 14% 7%

LancelinOffRoadVehicleArea 43% 11% 25% 21%

MedinaOffRoadVehicleArea 83% 7% 8% 3%

31%ofrespondentsoccasionallyorregularlyrideatGnangaraand22%occasionallyorregularly

rodeatPinjar. QuadandMXridersweremostlikelytoberegularridersatbothORVareas.

UsepatternsforGnangarafromtheridersurveyconductedshow:

25%ridethereacoupleoftimeseachmonthand20%ridethereeveryfewmonths. RidingatPinjaroccurslessfrequently(27%onceayearorless).

50%rideforhalfadayand23%foranhourortwooralldaysothevastmajorityrideforlessthanawholedayandindicateswhypeopleprefernottotraveltoofartoORVareas.

Pinjarridersmostlygoforhalfaday(36%)orthewholeday(31%).

92%useatrailerorutetogetthebiketoGnangaraand13%ridethere(morethan100%ascanselectmultipleanswers). 9%ofunregisteredbikesridetheirbikestoGnangara. No

surveyrespondents

admitted

to

riding

unregistered

bikes

to

Pinjar,

possibly

because

it

is

furtherfromhome.

75%ridewithafamilymember(37%ridewiththeirkids,17%withtheirpartner)whilst 72%ridewithmatesonly19%everridealone. 88%ofPinjarridersgowiththeirfamily.

Noformaltrafficcountoftheareahasbeenattempted. Thenumerousentrancesandparkingareas,

varyinglengthsofvisit, influenceofweatheronvisitornumbersandhighnumberofnonriding

visitorstotheareamakeanaccuratecountimpractical. HoweverDEChavedoneaninformalsurvey

inFebruaryandJulyof2008reportingaround70trailbikes,20quads,50vehiclesandabout120

peoplewithtwothirdsofthisactivitybeinginGnangaraandonethirdinPinjar.

Intermsofthevisitorprofile,fromtheSTBSsurveywecandescribeGnangaraandPinjarridersas:

Aged3549andhavingbeenridingformorethan20years,orbetween15years. Theymostlyridewithmatesorfamilyand80%saytheirfamilyalsoride. 46%liveintheNorthernsuburbs,24%comefromthesouthernsuburbsand20%fromthe

hills.

36%areprofessionals/management,28%aretradespeople,and14%arestudentswiththemajorityearning$50k$100kperannumand40%earningover$75kperyear.

65%donotbelongtoacluband90%haveneverbeenonanorganizedride. TheyalsorideatLancelin,onprivatepropertyonmotocrosstracksandinstateforests.


22/125


Theirbiggestconcernsarethelackofdesignatedareas(andtheirpoorquality),trailsbeingclosed,safetyandirresponsibleriders.

46%havebeenstoppedbyrangerswhilstoutriding. Ifavailabletheywouldconstantlyuseanetworkofsigned,onewayforesttrailsanda

dedicatedoffroadmotorcyclepark.

Theyaremorelikelytorideunregisteredmotocrossbikes(48%)thanregisteredtrailorendurobikes(31.2%). Overaquarterofsurveyedriders(26.3%)claimedtoridequadbikes.

90%wouldbepreparedtopayadailyorannualfeetoaccessacommercialtrailbikeridingarea/park.


23/125


AreaStrengthsandWeaknesses

Strengths

RespondentstotheSTBSsurveywhoindicatedthattheyhadriddeninanORVarea wereasked

Whatdo

you

like

about

riding

in

the

designated

ORV

areas?.

The

most

common

response

was

simplythattheyonlyrodetherebecauseitwaslegal. ApartfromtheuniquenessoftheLancelin

dunesforthosethatlikejumpsandsand,therewasnothingspecificabouttheORVareasthat

attractedriders. Becauseitwaslegaltheriderscouldrelaxandridewithoutfearofhassles.

HoweverthemajorityofridersstilldidnotenjoyridingintheORVareas.

TheonlygoodpartwithridinginaORVareaisthatit'snotagainstthelaw.

WhatdoyoulikeaboutridinginthedesignatedORVareas?

Legal

place

to

ride

can

relax.

No

fear

of

fines,

trouble,

hassle

orrangersaccepted. Sand

dunes

(Lancelin)

Notmuch,verylittle,nothing

ridetherebecauseIhaveto

close,convenient, socialisingwithotherriders

aplacetoride Doesnthassleothers Safewithothersaround

Goodterrainandtrails Goodjumps Lancelin Fun

Whatdo

riders

like

about

Gnangara

and

Pinjar?

Legal canridewithoutbreakingthelawdonthavetoworryaboutrangers/police.

Noconflictinginterests dontupsetanybody.

Position ProximitytoPerthclosetohomeclosestfornorthernsuburbsconvenientfor

aquickride.

Sizeoftheareabigarea. Crowdinglevelsnottoobad.

Varietyofterrainmildlydiversechallengingenvironmentlargeopenareas. .

Treesshadegoodtoridearoundholdthesoiltogetherpines.

Childrenonlyplacewherechildrencanrideinthearea.

ComparedtoGnangara,Pinjarwasseenas:

Largerwithlongertracks.

Betterterrainandbettertrailswithsomehardpackandnotallsand.

Lesscrowded,lessidiotsandlesscarhoons.

Abetterplacetotakechildrenduetolessproblembehavior,lesscrowdedandlesssand.

Anicerenvironmentwithlessrubbish.


24/125


Weaknesses

The30%ofrespondentstotheStateTrailBikeStrategysurveywhohadneverriddenintheoffroad

vehicleareaswereaskedwhynot. ManywereunawareoftheexistenceoftheORVareas,formost

theyweretoocrowdedandtoofaraway(particularlyforregionalrespondents)andweregenerally

seenasattractinghoonriders.

Gnangarainparticularisseenasasandy,whoopedoutrubbishdumpandplaygroundforhoons.Gnangarapinesisahorribleplace,somanyidiotsjustblastingupanddown

thestraightroadsometimeswithouthelmetsgivingallridersabadname.I

usedtoridetherebutwouldn'tgothereagain.Thereneedstobesomesortof

onewaycircuittoride,somejumpsandnicecornerstochallengeridersrather

thanhavethemblatupanddownatrackatfullspeedinalldirections.Its

plaindangerousandaskingforaheadoncollision.Ialsofinditquiteboring.

Respondentto

STBS

Rider

Survey

Whydon'tyourideinthesedesignatedORVareas?

Toosmall Toomanypeople Toofaraway

Noneinruralareas Didntknowtheyexisted,dont

knowwheretheyare

Toodangerous

Notmanaged

or

controlled

Too

much

rubbish,

not

nice

placesBoring

terrain

Trackstoosandy,boggy Tracksunmaintainedand

whoopedout

Havearegisteredbikedont

needtogothere

Idiotridersattracthoons Dontlikeridingwith4x4s

around

Wanttoexplorenewterrain,

notrideincircles

Notsuitableforchildren

Themajority

of

trail

riders

will

not

ride

in

these

areas

because

they

are

seen

as

unplanned,

unmanaged,unsatisfactory,uncaredforandunsaferidingexperiences.


25/125


WhatdoridersdislikeaboutGnangaraandPinjar?

Theamountofrubbishanddumpedcarsinthearea.(Gnangaraonly)

Lackoffacilities

Trackmaintenanceisnonexistent.

Largenumber

of

irresponsible

riders

and

hoon

behavior

and

lack

of

ranger

patrols.

(Less

for

Pinjar)

Safetyoftheareaisdeemedawful.

Trackdesignisawfulandnonexistent.

Lackofparkingandunloadingareas.(LessforPinjar)

ThemainaccessfromGnangaraRoadisinanappallingstate.(Gnangaraonly)

ThestateofCentreWayasthemainaccessroad.(Gnangaraonly)

Treebranchesandstumpsleftaftercuttingthetrees(mostlyPinjar)

IntersectionofCentreWaywithGnangaraRdshowingpotholesandroughedges.


26/125


Currentareamanagementandexpenditure

NodatahasbeensuppliedtoquantifytheexpenditureonmanagingandmaintainingthetwoORV

Areas.

Maintenance

TheGovernmenthasprovidedDECwithcapitalfundsforGnangaraPark($300$500,000perannum)

toprovidefencing/gatesforaccesscontrol,additionalrecreationalfacilitiesinthemainrecreation

zone(eastofCentreWay)andforrehabilitationtrialsanddemonstrationsites. Thiscapitalfunding

hasnotbeusedtoupgradetheexistingfacilitiesandORVsites

Fencing,somesignage,removalofcarbodies andinfrequentmaintenanceofCentreWayat

Gnangaraareobservablemaintenanceactionsthatwouldhaveincurredexpenditure. Mostroad

maintenanceappearstobeundertakenbyFPCtosupportloggingoperations.

InMay2008DECundertookanoperationwithintheGnangaraORVareathat:

ConsolidatedmuchoftheaccumulatedrubbishalongthesouthernkilometreofCentreWay RegradedCentreWay RepairedtheintersectionofCentreWayandGnangaraRd.

Thisoperationinvolved18mandaysofeffort,abobcat,afrontendloaderagraderandatruck.

InJune2008DECprovidedstaffandequipmenttoahalfdaycleanupoftheGnangaraORVarea

coordinatedbytheRecreationalTrailbikeRidersAssociationofWA. BetweentheDECstaffandthe

approximately50

volunteers

the

cleanup

day

resulted

in

the

removal

of

500

bags

of

rubbish.

Management

ThereisnoofficialmanagementoftheareasthereisnorequirementforthisundertheControlof

Vehicles(OffRoadAreas)Act. Anecdotally,RangerorPolicepresenceisveryrareandthislackof

presenceisseentohavecontributedtothelevelofirresponsibleactivityseeninthearea.


27/125


PART2OPPORTUNITIESANDCONSTRAINTS

Landuse

FuturelanduseconsiderationswillimpactthedevelopmentpotentialoftheGnangaraandPinjar

areas. TheGnangaraSustainabilityStrategy(GSS)isthekeylanduseplanningmechanismforthe

regionandthisgroupsworkisstillinprogress,sowhileitispossiblethatsomealternativelanduses

mayemergetherearecurrentlynoalternativelandusepressuresoneitherarea.

IntheabsenceofanysurpriseoutcomesoftheGSSitwouldappearthatboththeGnangaraand

PinjarareashaveanexpectedsecurityoftenureasORVareasofatleast10years. Thecurrent

futurelanduseoptionsunderconsiderationare:

Gnangara

Thereare

no

current

plans

to

alter

the

status

of

land

use

of

the

ORV

area

or

its

surrounds.

However,

thereissignificantpressurefromDAFWAandFPCtoclearfellbothareastocontrolEuropeanHouse

Borerandprovidetimberresourcetoindustry.

Inthelongerterm(est>10years)CentreWayisoneoftwooptionsforastrategicarterialroad

connectingeitherBeechboroRoadorAlexanderRoadwithFlynnDrivetotaketheheavyhaulage

pressureoffWannerooRoad. ThereisnocurrentpressureonthisareatobeexcisedoutofState

forestforhousingorindustriallands.

Pinjar

The

Pinjar

area

has

been

flagged

for

a

potential

horticultural

precinct,

however

it

is

understood

that

thisproposalhasnotbeensupportedbytheGnangaraSustainabilityStrategyTaskforceand

GnangaraCoordinatingCommittee(asofJune2008).

TheareaofpinesnorthofWescoRoadhasbeendeclaredanEHBBufferzonetopreventthespread

ofEuropeanHouseholdBorer(EHB)andtheplantationsarelikelytobeclearfelled. Thereisno

currentimperativetoclearfellthepineplantationswithintheORVareaitselfhoweverFPCislikely

tocontinueitsprogramofthinning.

ThefutureoftheadjacentBarbagalloRacewayisunderreview,withoptionsincludingthe

developmentofanewinternationalmotorsportsfacility(Bullsbrookhasbeenmentionedasa

possiblelocation)

or

the

upgrading

of

the

Wanneroo

circuit.

This

presents

anumber

of

potential

scenarios:

Scenario1:NewInternationalMotorsportsCentreisdevelopedelsewhere(lesslikely)

a) WannerooRacewaycouldberezonedasindustrialorb) AmalgamatedwithAJSClubMotocrosscircuitcouldbeamalgamatedtobecomeaState

MotorcycleCentreunderthecontrolofMotorcyclingWA.

ThisscenarioisnotseentohaveanydirectimpactonthecontinueduseofthePinjarORVarea.


28/125


Scenario2:WannerooRacewayupgraded(morelikely)

TheWASportingCarClubwouldseekaround30Haoflandoppositethemainentranceofthecircuit

asoverflowparkingformajorevents(34timesperyear). Fundingwouldbemadeavailablein

compensationandthiscouldbeappliedtowardsthedevelopmentoffacilitiesatthePinjarORV

area.

TherequirementforthisadditionalparkingstemsfromthelossoftheuseoftheoldWannerootip

sitewhich

has

been

used

for

the

annual

V8

Supercars

race

meeting

for

anumber

of

years.

However

thepracticalityofmovingsuchalargenumberofvehiclesupanddownWattleAveEastwouldbe

somethingthattheSportingCarClubwouldalsoneedtoaddressandtheremaybeotherparking

optionsthatcometolight.

ArelatedalternativetothisscenariowouldbetomovetheAJSClubMotocrosscircuitacrossWattle

AveEastandintothePinjarORVareaundersublease. Allassociatedcostswouldbecoveredbythe

WannerooCircuitredevelopmentfunding. Thisoptionwouldreducethesizeoflandarearequested

foroverflowparking.

Itis

beyond

the

scope

of

this

plan

to

make

any

assumptions

about

DECs

attitude

towards

this

requestshoulditeventuateformally,howevertheimportantpointfromtheperspectiveoftheORV

areaisthatnoneofthesescenarioswouldbeinconsistentwiththeretentionofthePinjarORVarea

asarecreationaltrailbikeridingfacility. Onthisbasiswedonotseefuturelanduseasan

impedimenttoeffectiveinvestmentintheseareas.


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UserSegments&Requirements

Thesesegmentswillbeusedinthedevelopmentofareafacilitiestoensuretheneedsofalluser

groupsareconsideredandcateredfor.

Thesegmentationfocusesonattitudinalratherthanstrictagesegments,althoughthereisastrong

correlationbetween

age

and

attitude

in

the

under

25

year

groups.

The

distinction

between

registered/licencedandunregistered/unlicenseddoesnotofitselfassistinthesegmentation.

Novices

Novicescanbefoundinallagegroupsandaredefinedbytheirexperienceandcapabilities. Novices

preferwide,formed,gradedandhardenedtrails. Speedswillbelowerandthetrailwillhaveless

technicalchallenges.

Nippers5-12

Thesearethekidsridingpeeweesto80ccMXminibikes. TheywillbebroughttotheORVareaand

supervisedby

an

adult,

usually

the

parent.

Thekeyconsiderationissafety. Parentswanttheirjuniorriderstogetanenjoyableandsafe

introductiontoriding. Strategiesinclude:

Ridersofthesameageandbiketyperidingtogether Ridersallgoingthesamedirectionwithnocrosstrails Ridinginanareathatcanbeviewedcontinuouslyfromafamilyfriendlylocationsuchasa

picnicarea.

Ridingonamaintainedtrackwithnodangerousobstacles,logs,rocksorlargebumps. Ridingwithoutthepressureofcompetition (notethatageisnobarriertoentrytheMX

Competitorsegment)

Therealityisthatthekidswillbeeasilypleased,sothismarketsegmentisreallytheparentsofthe

kids.

Grommets13-17

The1317yearsegmentcontainsthefutureMXandEndurocompetitors. Thissegmentisfasterand

keeneroncompetition. Theywillalsobebroughttotheareaandsupervisedbyanadult,but

potentiallythisadultislesslikelytobeaparent.

Thissegmentislikelytocontainamixoflatefirsttimersandseasonedjuniorpros. Whilethelate

firsttimers

will

mix

easily

with

the

Nippers,

the

more

aggressive

riders

will

need

their

own

area.

It

is

intendedthatthisgroupwillbecateredforwithahalfsizeMXtrackwithappropriatelyscaled

optionalfeaturessuchastabletopsandrhythmsections.

Mulisha18-24

GotoanyCrustyDemonsshowandyou'llseethissegment. Theirmantrais'gohardorgohome'.

MorelikelytobeonolderMXbikesasthisgroupisnotusuallyflushwithcash. Itishighlyprobable

thatthisgroupalsocontributesthemosttotheantisocialandirresponsiblebehaviourthatfeeds

themediawithongoingevidenceofthe'trailbikescourge'.


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Thisgroupislikelytoberesistanttoorganizationorrulesofanytype. Theyarethemostlikely

grouptotakerisksandexposethemselvesandotherstodanger. Theyarethemostlikelygroupto

haveolder,unmaintainedbikesandwillbethemostlikelygrouptoresistthewearingofproper

protectivegear.

Itis

expected

that

this

group

will

use

the

MX

track

and

Enduro

loops

and

want

freestyle

areas.

Some

purposebuiltfeaturessuchasrhythmsectionsandtabletopjumpscouldbeprovidedbut

considerationwouldneedtobegiventoagradingsystemtopreventbravadoplacingridersin

situationsabovetheirridingskills.

TheobjectivemustbetoinstilasenseoftribalprideinthefacilitybycreatingsomeformofFriends

of withanappropriateflavour(seeAreaManagementlaterinthisdocument).

MXCompetitors

GenuineMotocrosscompetitorslookingforanareawheretheycanpracticespecialisedtechniques.

This

group

is

reasonably

well

catered

for

with

MX

facilities

for

organised

competition,

and

most

clubswhooperateMXtracksprovideanytimeaccessformembersviaakeysystem.

Likelyopportunitiesincludespecialisedpracticeareassuchasryhthmsections,flatturns,bermsetc.

TrialsCompetitors

MembersofthetwoTrialsClubslookingsomewheretopractice,andtheclubsthemselvesasa

venuetoholdevents.

TheAJSclubhasadedicatedfacilityatWannerooMXtrackhoweverthePathfinderclubholdsmost

ofitsmeetingsatJarrahdaleandhasnoaccesstoaregularpracticefacility. GnangaraandPinjar

ORVareas

would

be

an

excellent

location

for

aTrials

facility.

EnduroCompetitors

MembersoftheTrail&EnduroCluborother,lookingforaplacetorideandpracticebetween

events.

AnEnduroareawithtechnicalchallengessuchastightsingletrack,logsandlessmaintainedtrails

willaccommodateEnduroCompetitorslookingtopracticeandnoncompetitorswhowantto

challengethemselves.

TrailRiders

Peoplewho

are

not

into

racing

all

the

time,

who

just

like

getting

out

on

their

bikes

with

afew

mates

foraride.Thisisaverybroadsegmentintermsofageandmachinery.

ThelimitationoftheORVareainrelationtothismarketsegmentisthatitisloopratherthan

destinationbased. 'Real'trailridersprefertotravelpointtopoint thetypeofridingthatreally

needsadestinationtrailsuchastheBibbulmunTrackorMundaBiddiTrail.

Thekeywillbekeepingthetrailsfreshandwellmaintained. LikeaScalextricsetthatcanbe

configuredindifferenttrackformats,theEnduroprecinctneedstobeabletobesetindifferent

layoutswithsectionsopenedandclosedonaregularbasistoprovideridingvariety.


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SuggestionsfromUsers

Suggestedimprovementsfromareauserswereobtainedinthesurvey.

separatedareasforPeeWees,Beginners/Family,Intermediate,Advancedriders fencingtheridingareatokeepcarsoutwithgatesthatareopenedinthemorningand

lockedatnight

turningbays/lanetogetonandoffGnangararoadandasealedentryandexit bituminizeCentreWay Nocars restricttopurposebuiltorvs anetworkofsigned,onewaytrailswithtwowaytrailsfortransportsections anEnduropracticeloopwithtechnicalchallenges afirmerridingsurface tracksandtrailsfornovice/intermediateridersshouldbeharder

surfacedandregularlygraded.

singletracktrails SpeciallyconstructedMXpracticecircuitswithairopportunitiesiejumps Waterways amanmadewatersectionwithrivercrossings Regularrangerpatrolstoenforceoffroadregistrations;helmets;controldangerousriding

andpolicerubbishdumping.Specifyminimumridinggearandpoliceit

creationofaLocalManagementCommitteeofriders improvednotification/signageofloggingandbackburningactivities awayofcontactingemergencyservices,ieaphoneandafirepoint Signageeducatingriderstodangersandconduct. Signageattheentranceguidingridersto

novice/intermediate/advancedtracksandtoparkingareas.

regulargradingofnoviceandintermediateareas Dumpingofrubbishareaneedstobecompletelycleanedupthenstepstaken

(predominantsuggestion

was

fencing)

to

prevent

rubbish

dumping

in

the

future.

Provide

rubbishbins.

Sprinklersystemtoreducedustespeciallyinthekidsandpicnicarea. Specifiedparking/unloadingareasandIfthetreesareremovedshadedareasneedtobe

installed.

Firstaidcentre.AndspecifictoPinjar

expandtheareanorthofWescoRd


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PART3PLANFORTHEFUTURE

TheBigPicture

DoweneedtwoOffRoadVehicleareasinsuchcloseproximityorwouldabetteroverallresultbe

achievedbyconsolidatingallactivityinonearea?

Pinjarisgenerallyrecognisedashavinggreaterlongtermpotential,asitisborderedbysealedroads

onthreesides,haspotentialforexpansiontothenorthandcouldbecomeastartingpointfora

futuredestinationtrailridenorthtoYanchep. Butdoesthismeanweshouldattempttoconcentrate

allfocusandactivityintothisarea,orwouldabetteroveralloutcomebeachievedifbothPinjarand

Gnangaraweretooperateinparallel?

Inaddressingthisquestionthereareseveralaspectstoconsider:

1.

Can

the

expected

future

capacity

requirements

be

met

within

a

single

area?

2. Istherealogicalandbeneficialseparationofusesthatcanbeachievedifbothareasremainoperational?

3. Whatleveloffacilities/developmentwouldbesacrificedifresourceswerecontinuedtobedividedacrossthetwoareas?

4. WhatarethefutureprospectsformoregazettedORVAreas?Capacity

There

is

little

doubt

that

at

the

current

utilisation

levels

a

single,

properly

developed

facility

would

suffice. Thecreationofseparatezonesforridersofdifferentabilities,anetworkofsingledirection

trailsandaseriesofpracticetrackscouldaccommodatemanymoreparticipantswithgreater

safetythanthecurrentunstructuredarrangement.

Thereare,however,twoconsiderationsthatoffsetthisargument.

1. Theanticipatedcontinuinggrowthinnumbersofridersthrough;a. Naturalpopulationincreaseb. Increasingpercapitapopularityoftheactivity. Theavailabilityofcheaperbikesand

quads,thehighdisposableincomeandflexibleworkinghourscreatedbyWAs

resourcesboomandthegrowingnumberofwives,girlfriendsandfamiliestakingup

theactivity.

2. ThegreaterdrawingpowerofanimprovedfacilityiemanyoftheriderswhocurrentlysteerclearofthegazettedOffRoadVehicleAreascanbeexpectedtomakeuseofthemif

theyareimproved. TheresearchundertakenfortheStateTrailBikeStrategyfoundthat56%

ofridershadnevervisitedGnangaraand68%ofridershadnevervisitedPinjar. This

suggestsaverysubstantialpotentialincreaseiftheareasbecomemoreappealingtoriders,

without

taking

into

account

the

increased

visitation

frequency

that

would

follow

from

currentriders.


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InadditionthenumberofriderschoosingtorideatGnangaraandPinjarwillalsobeeffectedbythe

numberofoffroadvehicleareasavailableforuse themoreareas,thegreaterwillbethe

dispersionofriders. Itisthereforedifficulttopredictjusthowmanyridersmightinthefuturemake

useofthefacility/ies,butitcanbeexpectedtobemanytimesmorethancurrently,suggestinga

cautiousapproachbetakentowardscapacityplanning.

UsingdatafromtheStateTrailBikeStrategyridersurvey,andconsideringpotentialriderincreases

astheareasbecomemoreattractive,somepredictionsofpotentialridernumbershavebeen

developed. Itisconsidered:

OnanygivenSaturdayorSundaybetween230310bikescouldbeatGnangara. OnanygivenSaturdayorSundaybetween300450bikescouldbeatPinjar.

Separation

Bothareasareverysimilarintermsofterrainsandypineplantationsandclearedareas sothereis

onlylimitedopportunityforseparationintermsoftheridingexperienceitself.

ArbitraryseparationegproposingquadsatGnangaraandbikesatPinjartendsnottowork,as

manyfamiliesandgroupsincludeamixofbiketypes,capacitiesandridercapabilities. Thefailureof

thecurrentarbitraryseparationbyenginecapacityisacaseinpoint.

Preferredusescouldbeestablishedwithineachareaandbetweenthetwoareasthroughtrailand

facilitydesign. ForexamplePinjarcouldbecomethepreferredvenueforjuniorsbycreatingmore

hardpackedtrailsandamoreconduciveenvironmentforparentalsupervision,whileGnangara

couldbecome

apreferred

venue

for

quads

by

shaping

trails

specifically

with

quad

riders

in

mind.

Overtime,thispreferreduseseparationcouldevolve,butitwouldneverbecomeabsolutebecause

manyquadridersalsohavekidsonbikesandviceversa.

BudgetPriorities

Itgoeswithoutsayingthatahigherstandardofdevelopmentwouldresultifallofanyavailable

budgetweretobeappliedtoasinglefacilityratherthanbeingspreadacrosstwofacilities. Little,if

any,expenditureonfacilitieswouldbeconsideredportable,meaningthatanyinvestmentinoneor

otherareawouldbelostifthatareaweretocloseinthefuture.

Sothe

question

is

one

of

quantity

versus

quality.

At

what

point

does

the

law

of

diminishing

returns

kickintoreducetheincrementaleffectivenessoffurtherinvestmentinanarea?

Theanswertothiscanbederivedfromtheresearchintowhatriderswantedintheareas(seeUser

SuggestionsinPart2).

Itcanbeseenthatthemajorityofridersvalueconvenience(ieshortertravellingtimes)andvariety

overinfrastructuresuchaspicnicareas,toiletsandsealedcarparks.

Ofcourseitisnotautomaticthattheavailablebudgetbedividedequallybetweenthetwofacilities,

particularlyifalongtermobjectiveweretobetoconsolidateactivityintoonearea. So


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considerationshouldbegiventotherangeofoptionsfromspendingeverythingononefacilityto

dividingthebudgetequallybetweenthetwo.

FutureORVAreas

AkeyrecommendationoftheStateTrailBikeStrategyistheneedformoreOffRoadVehicleareasto

begazetted

to

provide

amore

convenient

regional

spread,

to

provide

greater

diversity

in

riding

experiences andtoavoidoverconcentratingactivityintoofewareas.

SomeinteresthasalreadybeenshownbyregionalShires,andafutureDECstudywillexamine

opportunitiesforbothregisteredandunregisteredvehiclesintheareafromSwantoCollie.

Itisreasonabletoassume,therefore,thattherewill bemoreOffRoadVehicleAreasopeningupin

thefuture,howeveritisnotpossibletoplaceasolidtimeframeonthisandthereforethisprospect

shouldbeheavilydiscountedasaninfluencingfactor.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Takingalloftheaboveconsiderationsintoaccounttherecommendationsareto:

1. ContinuetomaintainboththeGnangaraandPinjarareasatleastinthemediumtermandindefinitelyifongoingdemandwarrants.

2. Investinbasicinfrastructureforbothfacilitiesintermsofa. Parkingareasb. Toilets

3.

Prioritise

the

elements

that

will

achieve

the

greatest

outcomes

in

attracting

riders

and

managingrisk,ie;

a. Trailsdevelopmentb. Signage

4. Placedevelopment(hencebudgetary)emphasisonPinjar,tomakethisapreferredlocation,especiallyforfamilies.


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GeneralPrinciplesofTrailsDevelopment

AgazettedORVareashouldprovidebotheasyanddifficulttrailstospreadvisitorsandmeetarange

ofneeds. Byindicatingthelengthanddifficultyoftrailswithaclearsignagesystem,visitorswillbe

ableto

locate

their

preferred

type

of

trail

easily.

Arbitrarysegmentationbyage,gender,biketypeorsize,orevenyearsofridingexperienceshould

beavoided. Askilled12yearoldonan85ccbikemaywellbeabletosuccessfullynegotiateterrain

thatmightstopalessconfidentadultona450.

AsignificantattractionofacommercialrideparkorgazettedORVareaisthatfamiliescanride

together,sosegmentationneedstobebycapabilitiesandexpectationsratherthananyarbitrary

criteria.

Capabilitiesdeterminethetypeofterrainthatarideriscapableofcompetentlyandsafely

negotiating,whileexpectationsareboththoseoftheriderinwantinganappropriatelevelof

challenge,andthoseofmanagementin requiringridingattitudesconsistentwiththeintentofeach

leveloftrail.

NoviceRiders Intermediate

Riders

AdvancedRiders Management

Green

Trail

(easy)

Willnegotiate

trailsafelyand

comfortably

Willenjoyfora

cruisy,less

challengingride

Willrideforawarmup

orwinddownorwith

lessexperiencedfamily

members/friends

Willexpectall

riderstoridewith

carefornovicesand

atacautious

pace

Blue

Trail

(more

difficult)

Mayrequire

someassistance,

willfeel

physically

challenged

Willnegotiatetrail

safelyand

comfortablybut

withsome

challenging

sections

Willenjoyforacruisy,

lesschallengingride

Willallowafaster

pacebut

anticipatingless

experiencedriders

Black

Trail

(most

difficult)

Willstruggle,

needassistance,

willfeel

overwhelmed

andprobably

notenjoy.

Mayrequiresome

assistance,will

feel

physically

challenged

Willnegotiatetrailsafely

butwith

some

challengingsections

Willanticipatea

fastpace

TheabovematrixdiscouragesnovicesfromattemptingBluetrailsunlessinthecompanyofamore

experiencedrider,anddiscouragesnovicesfromattemptingBlacktrailsunderanycircumstances.


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Advancedriders,however, arenotdiscouragedfromridingBlueorGreentrailsbutareexpectedto

ridethematanappropriatepace.

NotethatatrailmaybepredominantlyGreenorBlue,butmayhaveoptionalsectionsofahigher

level. Wheresuchbranchingoccurs,itisimportanttoensurethatthelowerleveltrailsdonothave

anyunexpected

obstacles,

so

the

more

advanced

riders

can

temporarily

leave

the

less

experienced

ridersintheirpartyconfidentthattheywillmeetupagainwherethetrailsreconverge.

Principlesoftrailsclassificationandgrading

Ageneralprincipleinclassifyingtrailsfordifferentlevelsofusersisthatthehardestnonoptional

sectionoftraildeterminestheoveralltrailgrading. TheresnopointcallingatrailaBeginnersTrail

if98%ofitiswidesmoothandflatbuttheremaining2%isasteep,rutted, gnarlygoattrack.

TherearecurrentlynoacceptednationalorinternationalstandardsforratingtrailbikeandATV

trails,

so

any

classification

system

will

be

largely

subjective.

There

does,

however,

appear

to

be

broadsupportforadoptingthethreetierclassificationsasusedinskiing;

Novice Green IntermediateBlue Advanced Black

Judgmentandobservation,togetherwithriderfeedbackisnecessarytodevelopafeelforthetypes

ofterrainandchallengesthatdefinetheboundariesofeachlevel. Tothisenditisusefultocreatea

referencegroupthatcomprisesaveragelevelriderswithineachofthebandsofNovice,

IntermediateandAdvanced.

Thefollowingguidelineshavebeenadaptedformotorisedtrailbikesandquadsfromthe

InternationalMountainBikingAssociation(IMBA)guidelinesformountainbiketrails.

1.RateTechnicalChallenge,notImpactofSpeed

Eventhesimplesttrailwillbecometechnicalasspeedincreases. Forthisreasonthefocusshould

beonratingthetechnicalchallengeoftrails,nottherisksthatincreasewithspeed.

2.EvaluateDifficultyRelativetoLocalTrails.

Inthe

absence

of

standardised

and

quantifiable

criteria

trails

should

be

rated

relative

to

other

trails

inthearea. Ablackdiamondtrailinoneregionmayrateasabluesquareinanotherregion,butthe

ratingsshouldbeconsistentlocally.

3.UseGoodJudgment.

Ratingatrailisnot100percentobjective.Itsbesttocombinetangibledatawithsubjective

judgmenttoreachthefinalrating.Forexample,atrailmayhaveawiderangeoftreadsurfaces

mostofthetrailiseasy,butsomesectionsaremoredifficult.Howwouldyourateit?Usepersonal

experience(andifpossibleareferencegroup)toconsiderallelementsandselectaratingthatbest

matchesthe

style

of

trail.


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4.ConsiderOtherTrailQualities.

Awidevarietyoffeaturescancontributetoatrail'sdifficulty.Forexample,exposure thefeelingof

emptyspacenexttoandbelowthetrailtread providesanaddedpsychologicalchallengebeyond

thesteepnessorroughnessofthetrail.A3inchrockseemslikeaboulderwhena50footdrop

loomson

your

side!

Other

qualities

to

think

about

are

corridor

clearance

and

turn

radius.

5.ConsidertheBline

Withjustalittlethoughtdifferentlinesthroughobstaclescanprovidearangeofchallenges. For

exampleahillclimbmighthaveagradedsideandaruttedsidesothesamegroupofmixedability

riderscaneachselecttheappropriatelevelofchallenge. InthecontextofGnangaraandPinjarthis

couldequatetoatrailwithobstaclessuchaslogsorwhoopsthathasaneasierbypassaroundthose

sections.

CriteriatoConsider

TreadWidth Theaveragewidthoftheactivetreadorbeatenpathofthetrail.

TreadSurface Thematerialandstabilityofthetreadsurfaceisadeterminingfactorinthedifficulty

oftravelonthetrail.Somedescriptivetermsinclude:hardened,firm,stable,variable,widely

variable,looseandunpredictable,sandy,slippery,rocky. Firmersurfacesmakeforeasierriding.

HillsHillsareprobablythemostcommontechnicalchallengethatimpactontraildifficultyrating.

Anovicecanbeexpectedtoconquerahillwheretherearenoobstaclestoimpedeprogress(eg

rocks,ruts,treestumpsetc)andwheretractioncanbemaintainedatarelativelylowspeed. An

intermediateridercanbeexpectedtoconquerahillwheremomentumisnecessarytomaintain

tractionbut

where

there

are

only

moderate

obstacles,

while

an

Advanced

rider

can

be

challenged

by

steeperterrainthatdemandscommitmentandskilltonavigatemultipleobstacles.

NaturalObstacles Objectsthataddchallengebyimpedingtravel.Examplesinclude:rocks,roots,

logs,holes,ledges,dropoffs,etc.


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GNANGARAAREAPLAN

Vision

Acleaner,saferandmorestructuredfacilitythancurrent,whilststillretaininganundevelopedfeel.

ProposedUses

SUPPORTEDUSES NOTSUPPORTED

PeeWeeKidscircuitkidspredominantlyunder10years,closely

supervised

Novice/Kidscircuitlearneradults,kids JuniorMXpracticecircuit SeniorMXpracticecircuit NaturalTerrainMXpracticecircuit FamilyTrailsnetwork Endurotrailsnetwork TrialsPracticearea

PracticeSupercrossCircuit Freestyle/jumps Racing

Siteplan

Thefollowingindicativesiteplanillustratestheseparationofridinglevelsintoprecinctsaswellas

thetypesofcircuitsandtrailsenvisaged. Theconceptualplansuggests

Junior/Novicetrails4km14% Intermediatetrails10km35% Advancedtrails15km50% 2xMXpracticecircuits 3xPeeWeecircuitsforyoungchildren Trialspracticearea Freeridingareas


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Facilities

OnlybasicfacilitiesareproposedfortheGnangaraORVarea.

Access

road

from

Gnangara

Rd

to

car

park(s).

Sufficientwidthfortwovehiclestravellinginoppositedirectionstopassoneanother. Conceptplan

indicates275mCentreWayfromGnangaraRdthen200mWesttocarpark1. Shouldideallybebitumen

orgraveltoclearlydifferentiatefromtheridingtrails,besignpostedwitha20km/hadvisoryspeedsign4

andbeborderedonedgeswithrocks,logs,orfencingtopreventbikes/quadscrossing.

Maincarpark

Gradedlimestoneorgravelsurface,50vehiclecapacity(themajorityofwhichwillbetowingtrailers).

Thecarparkshouldretainasmanytreesaspossibleforshade,witheachparkingbaybeingapprox15

metreslong

to

allow

for

tow

car,

trailer

and

space

behind

to

unload

and

work

on

bike,

quad

etc.

The

objectiveistokeepbikesandquadsoutofthecarparkingareaasmuchaspossible(toavoidbike/car

conflict),andtoseparatebikes/quadsfromplaceswherepeople(especiallychildren)arelikelytobe

walkingorplaying. Atthesametimeitmustberecognisedthatriderswanttoreturntotheircars

betweenrides,astheywillhavetheirtools,drinks,snacksetclockedinthecarwhiletheyareonthe

trails.

Theconceptparkingplanindicatesaonewayclockwiseloopwithparkingontheoutside,facilitiessuch

astoilets,kidsplayarea,picnicfacilitiesetconinside(abikefreezone). Ringingtheparkingareaisa

twowayslowzonefeedertrail,fromwhichthevarioustrailsandcircuitscanbeaccessed. Anouter

fenceprovides

controlled

access

to

the

trails.

4

DEC

does

not

have

authority

to

erect

speed

signs,

this

is

a

Main

Roads

responsibility.

No

speed

limits

can

be

set

forgravelroadsduetothevariabilityofthesurface,thereforeSpeedAdvisorysignswouldbeused.


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Secondarycarpark

Withagradedlimestoneorgravelsurface,20 50vehicle/trailercapacity. Thisisbothoverflowparking

andmoredirectaccesstotheIntermediateandAdvancedtrails.

JuniorTrails

Parking

Asmallparkingareawithagradedlimestoneorgravelsurface,10vehiclecapacity. Thiscarpark,closest

toGnangaraRdandadjacenttothePeeWeetrackwouldbedesignatedforfamilieswithyoungchildren.

SomeshadedpicnictableswouldbeusefulgiventhattheparentsusingthissectionoftheORVarea

wouldbethereinasupervisorycapacity.

Toiletblock

Itisanticipatedthatasingle4seattoiletblock(remoteareadesign),locatedinthemaincarparkarea

shouldbesufficient.

PotableWater

Awatertanktoprovidedrinkingwaterwouldbebeneficialandcouldpresumablybeconstructedaspart

ofthetoiletblock.

Picnicbenches

Destructionresistantx~8inthemaincarparkandx~3intheJuniorTrailsParking.

Picnicbenchesplayanimportantroleindefiningtheuseofaparticularspace. Itiseasiertodeclarean

area

a

bike

free

zone

when

the

area

has

so

obviously

been

established

for

the

purposes

of

eating

or

just

sitting.

InformationBoard/Shelter

Acombinationinformationboardandshelterwheremoredetailedinformationaboutthearealayout,

boundaries,precinctsandbehaviourexpectationscanbecommunicated.


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GnangaraandPinja

Management Plan for Gnangara and Pinjar Off-road Vehicle

Documents

Transcript of Management Plan for Gnangara and Pinjar Off-road Vehicle