Proposal for a Multiuse Trail Link Cycling, Horse Riding and Walking and growing ecosystems across the Central Coast (Bouddi National Park to Kincumber Region)

Introduction

The main recreational users of our bush land include bushwalkers, cyclists and horse riders. All three users can be assets together in strengthening the protection, maintenance and enhancement and growth of our precious ecosystems on the Central Coast.

Multiuse trails enjoyed by bushwalkers, cyclists and horseriders is already in use in the Central Coast Region in the State Forests and in other informal areas. Multi-use trails across non-recreational land is less common but growing. It is more common in particular areas of Scotland and the United Kingdom. In Australia, we have a number of National Parks with multiuse trails such as Popran and Kosciuszko National Park.

Connecting trails and resurrecting ecosystems is a way to connect people to the land as guardians and increase biodiversity. The concept aims to create a strategic and efficient formula for protecting and increasing our biodiversity.

In the stages of designating multiuse trail routes, degraded land can be chosen for a route (such as around rubbish tips or along industrial wastelands) then this area can be revegetated and the original ecosystem regrown.  

The method involves growing structurally strong ecosystems along the track routes, that support an increase in numbers of native flora and fauna from the site-specific tiny orchid and soil microorganisms to the iconic birds and mammals. The outcomes must be measurable with clear performance indicators and involves all citizen types of land users, land owners and other people who control what happens to portions of land. The earth’s flora and fauna’s greatest threat is habitat loss. This additive approach of growing more habitats actively combats the current rapid rate of habitat loss across the globe.

Connecting trails is a component which brings more people into caring for our land. Unfortunately, in recent years on the Central Coast, there has been much damage done to our bush by mountain bike riders creating new tracks and damaging the bush in the process. Severe damage has been caused by some mountain bike riders who continue to clear new virgin tracks and construct cycling jumps and obstacles. With an increased number and diversity of users composed of horse owners and cyclists that appreciate the natural environment, it is likely there will be many more responsible people who value the bush whilst accessing it. These responsible people will hopefully assist in regulating the destructive behavior of the small percentage of irresponsible cyclists. Connecting trails involves planning, constructing and maintaining routes across various land use types and constructing safe cycling paths that are positioned near fire trails for walkers and horse riders (where suitable).  All other damaged tracks can be closed off and the bush restored. Registration of users may be a suitable addition with associated Code of Conduct measures and other support. Resurrection can be done at all scales. It might not be possible to resurrect a whole intact ecosystem but fragmented components of our original ecosystems persist even in the Central Business Districts in cities. It is about matching the plant types to as close to site-specific indigenous species as possible. The first step is to determine the dominant eucalypt trees and understory shrubs that grew at a site before colonization. Then, grow new seedlings from existing trees as close to the area as possible and gradually replace those plants that are not native to the area with the new resurrection (provenance) species.

                 I envisage a strategy of growing ecosystems and creating trails across the Central Coast will encourage more people out to enjoy our land and enhance aspects of;

1. Care of our land
2. Support of land holders in guardianship
3. Increase tourism
4. Increase healthy outdoor activities
5. Promote associated economic growth from tourism and ecosystem creation (nurseries, experts in seeding, fencers etc)
6. Increase the volume of our priceless biodiversity.
7.  Increase and preserve our National Identity relating to our wildlife and wild places.

The Central Coast-Gosford Wyong Regional area is a region that encompasses a broad area 566.2km2. The Central Coast region has a suitable variety of land use and land owner types (private landholder (rural and residential), corporations, industrial, State forests, National Parks, Council that are representative of the scope of integration required at other regional areas. If this project concept can overcome the challenges with all of these entities, then it has the capacity to be successful in other regional areas.  This region has a history of land clearing and ecosystem loss as does other regions of Australia. There is much recent (roughly 5 years) of uncontrolled degradation of bush on all land holder types (National Parks, Council, State forest, private) from the actions of mountain bike riders creating destructive tracks throughout the shire. A smaller scale pilot project may be easier to trial first and that would include an area of roughly 100km2 from Killcare Peninsular to Erina.   

Who benefits?

Local and our visiting community will benefit from the ecological growth in terms of increased volume of biodiversity, increased natural ecosystems and preservation of our wildlife species and thus our Australian identity, landholders such as farmers will gain support and help to implement the growing of bush. People employed in the areas of growing seed, restoring degraded land, nurseries, expert contractors etc will benefit from more employment. Land owners can gain moral and constructive support in their role as stewards of our land with a National program to strategically grow back the bush.  With an evidenced based coordinated approach, all Australians concerned about our loss of habitat and loss of priceless species from Australia’s destructive large and small scale land clearing activities can feel positive about the future of our environment.

The connecting of trails for recreational use will benefit all Australians with increased outdoor recreational opportunities available, closer connections to the land for all who access the trails, cyclists benefit from safer internationally standard designed tracks and thus reduced presentations to hospitals from bike falls from ill designed and unmaintained cycling tracks. In the regions without existing trails, new connected trails built will provide economic growth to these areas for businesses such as tourism related, accommodation, general services etc. An example of adventure tourism from Mountain bike riding, leading a revival in a small Australian town is that of Derby in Tasmania.

Costs

Profit is not the aim but money is required for this project to happen. Phases include planning, mapping such as vegetation and trail mapping, growing seedlings, maintaining and protecting seedlings, building trails.  There is an opportunity to include profit from carbon credits and ethical investments into this project. There is also cyclist and horse riders’ registration that could generate funds. Grants from tourism, sports and recreation and in kind support from clubs would assist in the financial requirements. Sponsorships from relevant people and companies would also help. 

Key challenges

The key challenges are

1. achieving coordination and continued input for a long term strategy that works across the range of different landholders, owners, land managers and government departments for a purpose that is not directly dollar driven but is indirectly profit producing. 
2. Education and a shift in thinking to achieve collaborations that is driven by positive motivations rather than negative policy measures.  

Innovation

This project is innovative in two main ways. Firstly innovation is the concept of connecting trails across lands that include all types of land. From private small acreages to corporate land (farming, industrial etc) and creating linking trails from the coastal regions to the remote edges of the Central Coast Shire.  Registration of users is a new approach to help standardize the features within this project with Codes of Conduct and Indigenous information specific to the land the trails traverse.  

 The second main innovation of resurrecting original site-specific ecosystems to increase biodiversity by an additive approach is novel. Usually people plant exotic-natives that do not help the existing native biodiversity.  Instead of disparate groups working on restoring land, a coordinated strategic plan for all the land and its ecosystems, not just ones with endangered species is what I believe is innovative and is more likely to increase the diversity of native animals and plants. A strategy that resurrects land to increase and join together ecosystems that crosses land ownership/ land management barriers is innovative. Involvement of diverse people and organizations to achieve this is innovative.

Types of Support

At the commencement of this strategy, support from council departments to use their existing vegetation community mapping data, their network with other government agencies and key landholders is valued. Expertise from restorative experts to advise on parameters for choosing effective tracts to resurrect. Sponsorship to assist with promotion of the project, physical track building and planning from mountain bike club, horse riding clubs is valued. Media including social media support is valued to assist in communicating how, what and why this project exists, benefits and how people can become involved. An entity that can run the actions the project requires is of huge value. Indigenous support is valued highly with both input from their knowledge of specific sites and regions and of effective stewardship of the land.

Summary of Proposed Strategy

Creation of multiuse cycling, horse riding and bushwalking trails on all land uses across the Central Coast.

1. Map all area of Central Coast for vegetation types, land uses and geographical features.
2. Prioritize linking trails on all land based on existing natural vegetation, land use, geographical topography, proximity to populated areas and accessibility.
3. Construct fencing on private holdings along boundaries to create trail connections between bush land areas.
4. Create a Code of Conduct for trail use including etiquette while travelling across private landholdings.
5. Create a permit system with indemnity insurance for cyclists and horse riders as a requirement.
6. Coordinate the construction and maintenance of specific cycling tracks with cycling clubs using International design standards.
7. Where possible:

-construct networks of tracks with various time lengths such as 1 hour to 4 hour loops.

– create cycling tracks that zig zag across fire trails that horse riders ride on.

-create trails that take riders and walkers to features such as lookouts and ocean beaches.

• Close off and restore degraded land from undesignated tracks on all land types.
• Link in with proposed National Strategy for Resurrecting Ecosystems for Biodiversity (see www.react.care)

Multiuse Trail Routes in Central Coast Region

Multiuse Trails on Non-recreational land

Where trails meet roads, routes along the road can be assessed for safety and smaller new tracks could be constructed to traverse over private or other land holder’s boundaries after agreements are made. This would apply to the section of trail from Doyle St to Kincumber Mountain. Possible routes include a new track at the end of Doyle St where it meets Scenic Drive that travels through bushland to near the Kincumber Transfer Station (Tip) and then on towards Picketts Valley either possibly through the ‘Bangalow’ private land.  

Horse Riding and Mountain Bike Riding Information

Information that would inform and educate the community of horse and mountain bike recreation include:

• The Code of Practice for Horse riding in Parks (2014).
• Production of a joint NPWS and Gosford City Council information leaflet that contains comprehensive information for the bushland that spans Bouddi National Park and Coastal Open Space land would benefit the community. Ideally it would contain;

– a map with designated horse riding and bike riding routes that spans Bouddi National Park and Coastal Open Space land.

– access points to Bouddi and Coastal Open Space and natural reserves.

– large parking sites for float parking and mountain bike parking.

-information about specific horse or cycle facilities such as bubblers (Maitland Bay Car Park) or horse tether poles.

– display signs near entry points (See Figure 9).

• Erection of road signs near access points warning drivers of horse and mountain bike rider road crossings.

Horse Riding in Bouddi

At present horse riding is prohibited in all areas of Bouddi National Park. However, a number of tracks are formally designated for horse riding and are considered low sensitivity environments.

The Strategic Directions for Horse Riding in NSW National Parks (2012) states goals as:

“The overarching goals guiding the development and delivery of this strategy are to:

– improve opportunities for sustainable recreational horse riding in NSW national parks

– provide opportunities in appropriate locations to ensure the specific natural and cultural

values of the national park are protected and the safety of all park visitors is maintained

– deliver an enhanced community awareness of existing and improved recreational horse

riding opportunities in national parks

– build support in the horse riding community for national parks and collaborate on practical

park management actions, including encouraging participation in volunteering.”

The Strategic Directions for Horse Riding in NSW National Parks support a number of other Government Strategies.

It states: 

“The initiatives outlined in the strategy build upon the following NSW and Australian

Government strategies:

–Living Parks – A sustainable visitation strategy (2005) aims to enhance the

experience of park visitors and improve community awareness of the natural and

cultural heritage values of the reserve system. It promotes sustainable and culturally

appropriate visitor use of NSW national parks.

– The NSW Tourism Strategy (2008) aims to promote visitation to national parks and to

protect the State’s biodiversity and cultural heritage values through appropriate use of

national parks.

– Australia’s National Landscapes program is a joint initiative between Tourism

Australia and Parks Australia, supported by the states and territories, which promotes

visitation and tourism to iconic protected areas across the country.”

Several tracks in Bouddi National Park are suitable for horse riding and were previously designated for this recreation type (See Figure 1 and Figure 2). These tracks are located on the east and western side of The Scenic Drive, and include the trails of Little Valley, MacMasters Ridge, Strom’s Trail, North West Ridge and the Turkey Track. Another route worthy of consideration for suitability is the Mount Bouddi Road. These tracks can be made more suitable for horse riding after some minor modifications to allow for safer riding and greater protection of the environment. Any changes made for horse riding will also benefit mountain bike riding. These two activities share similar attributes and have similar requirements. Horse riding tracks from Bouddi National Park extends directly into Gosford City Council’s controlled land comprising of Coastal Open Space land (see Coastal Open Space Strategy COSS 2010), natural area reserves and public recreation land. Marked routes for horse and mountain bike riding connecting Bouddi National Park and the local government controlled land will allow more access to our Park and natural area reserves and encourage more responsible usage of the environment. The more people, who value, use and enjoy our bush, then the less likely the small percentage of irresponsible mountain bike riders will continue damaging it with illegal clearing activities.

Aspects involving horse riding in Bouddi National Park, are previously identified as:

• Float parking not available at Maitland Bay car park.
• Use conflict with mountain bikes.
• Aboriginal site protection concerns.
• Road safety concerns at Scenic Rd.
• Water quality issues in “Bouddi Grand Deep” catchment area.

Other aspects are: 

• Formalize access through Council managed land.
• Connect ride routes for horse riding and mountain bike riding within Bouddi National Park and Council managed lands.
• Link infrastructure relating to horse riding and mountain bike riding within National Park and Council managed lands.

Bouddi region Multiuse Trail Routes

Safety of trail use in Bouddi

The Strom’s Loop would be significantly safer for horse and mountain bike riders if two minor track deviations providing a safe option for mountain bike riders were made. The first danger is the high risk road crossing at the Mt Bouddi Road and the Scenic Drive road intersection. The second danger is the cliff line section of track along the West North West side of Scenic Drive.

The high risk road crossing for mountain bike riders and horse riders could be made safer at the intersection of Scenic Drive, Bombi and Mt Bouddi Drive by relocating the last section of the (West North West) track as it comes close to the road, about 50 metres (West South West) towards Maitland Bay car park, where there is straight section of road that provides better visibility for both oncoming traffic and riders. Signage that warned drivers of horse riders and bike riders could be implemented, as could a reduction of the current speed limit from 80km/ph to 60km/ph for this stretch. This can be done by moving the northerly speed limit sign, along the road a distance of less than 500m to the south. 

Another benefit of this realignment would be the opportunity to rehabilitate the eroded track where it meets the road. The first 30 meters of this track receives large volumes of fast moving runoff during rainy weather from the cantilevered road to the north. The runoff from a large catchment surface area flows across the road, then along the side of the road and is then channeled directly into the track causing severe undercutting.   

The other high risk area for bike and horse riders along the long cliff section of track could be modified inexpensively.  An alternative ‘connecter’ route to avoid the cliff line section could be made by providing a short, narrow path that connects and joins both loop sides together at the site where the North West Track joins The Scenic Drive. This provides a safe road crossing with good visibility and would allow access from the west side of The Scenic Road to Strom’s Track on the east side.  The proposed path would drop down slightly in elevation through a fern dominated undergrowth to Strom’s Track about 20 meters from the road. This would be the designated route for horse riders along the loop track and horse riders would be denied access along the cliff section of the track. An outcome of this minor modification is the danger to mountain bike riders would also be reduced by offering the cyclists a safe alternative track that allows them to maintain the ride in a near circuit fashion without the need to ride along the roadside. It would also provide a safe route along the Turkey Track to MacMasters Ridge trail.

Water quality

Water quality issues from horse riding into Bouddi Deep catchment are negligible. The designated horse riding track of Strom’s Track and the proposed route along Mount Bouddi road to the Mount Bouddi carpark border the Bouddi Deep catchment. Water quality is unlikely to be compromised by manure or erosion for a number of reasons. The volume of manure from recreational level horse presence along these tracks would be very low and insignificant. The surfaces of both tracks are highly suitable for horse riding as the Mount Bouddi road is sealed and impervious to erosion and most of the Stroms Track is a mainly flat sandy substrate resistant to erosion from horse riding. Many people fit their horses with rubber grip boots instead of traditional steel shoes. These boots spread the pressure from the hoof onto the ground and leave less hoof print.     

Entry to National Park

Entry into Bouddi National Park is possible for horse riders at a number of locations (See Figure 1 and Figure 2). These access points include multiple entry sites for those who ride directly from near where their horse resides and for those who require float parking. These are areas primarily to the west and north of the park. Some of these entry points are immediate from a public road straight into Bouddi National Park (end of Pomona Rd) but most have indirect routes along tracks that continue into and out of Bouddi National Park from Council managed land. The site for Bouddi Pony Club has originally been strategically and deliberately located adjacent to bushland trails that lead into Bouddi National Park. This is the same as the Matcham Pony Club which is in close proximity to designated horse riding trails managed by Gosford City Council.

Although MacMasters Ridge Trail also known as Bouddi Ridge Trail crosses private land, this Trail has been historically used for the last century (since bullock times) and has been in continuous use as a public access thoroughfare connecting the two recreational areas of Bouddi National Park and COSS land.  

Little Valley Trail currently crosses private land. The land owners have erected gates to prevent 4WD vehicles crossing their land, however they accept bush walkers, mountain bike riders and horse riders crossing their land (personal communication). Liaison with the owners of the land would help to establish formal consent for horse riding and mountain bike riding and bush walking across their land. Another option is the potential purchase or lease of the zone of private land where the trail is located.  A further alternative is to carefully clear the underbrush to form a minor narrow track around the private land. The route could follow the paper trail designated originally for the Little Valley Trail.

Liaison with the landowners responsible for the access track from Damian Drive opposite Dajani Track end, to propose allowing horse riding entry at this site, would be beneficial. This would provide close access to suitable float parking at the intersection of The Scenic Road and Damian Drive. It would also provide access directly into Bouddi National Park.

Float parking

Space for float parking is available at four and possibly a fifth location in close proximity to Bouddi National Park (See Figure 1 and Figure 2). All of these proposed locations (except Damian Drive entry point), provide indirect access through either tracks that begin in Council managed land or parking areas located on council land. Float parking is suitable for the areas of South Kincumber De La Salle Recreation Area, Council Land on Maitland Bay Drive in close proximity to Maitland Bay Car Park, and possibly Bensville, at the end of Karuk Rd and within a degraded area of Council Nature Reserve at Doyle St Neeran Rd intersection. With these multiple site options for people who require float access, there is no requirement for float parking at Maitland Bay car park. 

Mountain Bike Use

There is no known conflict with mountain bike riders and horse riders in the region of MacMasters Ridge to Kincumber via Kirks Hill. Polite etiquette from both recreational user types is well established. Mountain bike users are likely to benefit from all of modifications made for horse riding recreation in the park. For instance, if the high risk road crossing at the intersection of Scenic Drive, Bombi and Mt Bouddi Drive was relocated, it would substantially increase the safety for mountain bike riders and bushwalkers. Provision of an alternative to riding along the cliff edge of the Strom Loop will also make the experience in the park more positive for mountain bike riders.

Float car parking would be of benefit to those mountain bike riders who prefer larger spaces for parking and unloading bikes than the Maitland Bay car park.

Horse riding in Bouddi National Park is likely to increase the volume of recreational users in Bouddi National Park and this increased presence of nature loving visitors may greatly discourage mountain bike riders from damaging the park.

Aboriginal Sites

 The aboriginal sites along the North West Trail can be economically protected by installation of barriers such as large logs placed strategically between the track end and the vulnerable site. Explanatory signage would assist with the protection of such sites. A few horse tethering poles erected nearby (See Figure 6 and Figure 7) would also reduce the risk of damage to trees as people dismount and tie up their horses in order to enter the aboriginal site on foot and admire the view. A large proportion of people ride their horses in rubber grip boots now rather than metal traditional shoes. Rubber boots are more forgiving to the soil and rocks. Unlike steel shoes, rubber boots do not leave marks on sandstone rock outcrops.

Conclusion

As more people in our local and wider community actively care for our environment, this strategy is likely to gain support. Our local and wider community will benefit from more connections made and degraded lands rehabilitated  through the creation of a  multuse trail link.  

References:

Strategic Directions for Horse riding in NSW National Parks  2012. State of NSW and the Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Coastal Open Space Strategy 2010, Gosford City Council.

Code of Practice for Horse Riding in Parks (Updated 2014). State of NSW and the Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.