By EMILY IANNELLO
PARTS of the Otway National Park could be “trashed“ by out of control recreational activities, a Geelong Enviroment Council investigation has found.
And a proposal for mountain bike trails around Eumeralla has been criticised as “damaging” to the value of fauna and flora in the area.
Parks Victoria has proposed approximately 13 kilometes of dedicated cross-country mountain bike trails and eight kilometres of shared trails around Eumeralla in the Great Otway National Park.
The GEC investigation found riders had already created “multiple illegal tracks” throughout the park, many separated by just a few metres.
“National parks should not be trashed by recreation activities out of control,” GEC said.
A Parks Victoria proposal said the official trails would provide for a range of experiences that would be appropriate for riders of various skill levels and be suitable to support the current schedule of annual events.
The proposal was based on Park Victoria’s recognition of the need to provide suitable mountain biking opportunities for the growing number of riders across the state.
Although it admits environmental and cultural values must be considered while planning, GEC president Joan Lindros believes that the proposal has “too much emphasis on mountain bike tracks and events”.
“Our belief is that although recreational activity should be accepted, it should be the type of recreation that doesn’t affect the value of fauna and flora.”
Describing the area as “valuable”, Ms Lindros said the National Park Act 1975 (Vic) should be properly reviewed before any decision is made.
“We need Parks Victoria to really look at the Act, and manage this area according to the Act,” she said.
Ms Lindros was further concerned the tracks would be “too fragmented for wildlife”.
“We want parks to be kept for their environmental values – but we also want people to enjoy them.
“The riders haven’t created the tracks with intent for harm – I have no objection to mountain bikes if there are tracks that are suitable for them,” Ms Lindros said.
Ms Lindros said she would like to see “a less environmental piece of land be turned into a mountain bike track set-up.”
“There is one at Forest – the tracks have been planned and set out really well – it gives a good experience for the riders and maintains the integrity of the land.”
GEC is still waiting to receive a map of proposed tracks.
“The whole process is still under investigation,” Ms Lindros said.
