The City of Cockburn's response to WAtoday on 24 March 2022 about ManningPark trails
Question: How much of the park has been cleared for bandit/unsanctioned trails?
Answer: We don’t have an estimate.
Question: Why have these tracks been allowed to proliferate when the City has an obligation to stop them?
Answer: The City is considering the development of a formal trails network in Manning Park as one strategy to stop the proliferation of unsanctioned trails.
Question: Has anyone ever been fined for illegal clearing or track riding in the park?
Answer: No. To be fined they need to be caught in the act and identified.
Question: Would the City have to seek any state or federal level environmental approvals before going ahead with any formal new tracks? If not, why not?
Answer: Yes, State and Federal approvals will be obtained as required.
Question: If an official trail goes ahead will the unsanctioned trails be rehabilitated?
Answer: Yes, after consultation with other trail users.
Question: Friends for Manning Park say there are threatened honey myrtle communities on the ridge and have concerns about the tuarts. How does the City of Cockburn respond to these concerns and how would these communities be protected?
Answer: The City is aware of these concerns and would be undertaking appropriate environmental assessments to ensure that if mountain bike trails are supported they have no adverse impact on these communities.
Question: Kingsley Dixon, the founding Director of Science at Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, says Manning Park is the Kings Park of the south and in any other urbanised city it would be treasured, protected and nurtured as a living botanic garden and wildlife refuge.
Answer: The City agrees and supports this view.
Question: Why should mountain bike trails be allowed in the park at all?
Answer: Council has not made a decision as to whether or not mountain bike trails will be allowed.
Question: When is the matter next in front of council?
Answer: Mid-2022.