Queanbeyan bike track moved to oval as council waits on design report

A NSW council has switched up its plans for a new bike track, with a new location endorsed by councillors.

A pump track – a purpose-built bike track that relies on a rider’s momentum to push them through the course – is set to be built in the Queanbeyan suburb of Jerrabomberra.

At its 24 April meeting, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) unanimously agreed on David Madew Oval as the site.

Councillor Mareeta Grundy said the location was the best compromise between concerns held by residents and the council’s requirements for the site.

“We’ve hit the sweet spot in terms of the best position for residents and the best position for the users of the facility,” she said.

“We had a suite of alternative sites that were put to the community – David Madew was one – and it came out as one of the most preferred and most acceptable in terms of amenities.”

The pump track was first planned for Jerrabomberra Creek Park in Waterfall Drive, but a rescission motion in January saw QPRC return to the drawing board.

The rescission motion also saw QPRC endorse a new round of community consultation.

Three workshops were held in February with 69 participants, according to the consultation report, and the council ran an online survey and mapping tool.

Thirty-nine people dropped a ”pin” using the mapping tool and 38 contributors completed the survey, while two people lodged their submissions via email.

“Some of the core things that came up for a majority of residents at these workshops were [the need for] ample parking, that it was not to be in the vicinity of residents and it had toilet facilities,” Cr Grundy said.

David Madew Oval is in Bayside Circuit at Jerrabomberra.

“This site is an established oval. There’s areas around the external part of the oval that are currently just recreational oval space,” Cr Grundy said.

“It’s in that area that the pump track will be constructed.”

Cr Grundy said the oval was close to schools.

“That opens the way for children to get to the David Madew site, if they choose, relatively easily after school,” she said.

Cr Grundy said the new site had existing facilities users of the pump track could access.

“There are other pieces of infrastructure designed to support recreational activities in the immediate area,” she said.

“In addition, there’s already facilities such as toilet blocks, parking, water and lighting.”

According to the consultation report’s section on David Madew Oval, QPRC would need to consult with the local sporting teams on how parking is managed during training and games.

QPRC will receive a report on the pump track’s design in coming weeks.

“The deadline for this facility is the end of December this year,” Cr Grundy said.

“That’s part of the requirement of the grant, so that is design, construction, landscaping and all the other things that have to be in place.

“We’re confident that we can meet that deadline.”

QPRC’s meeting agendas and minutes can be found on the council’s website, while the consultation report is available on Your Voice QPRC.