By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers have started a petition calling for a decision to be made on the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination project.
Following the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) hearing concluded on 7 April 2022, the Inquiry and Advisory Committee were to prepare the final report over the following 40 business days to go to the Minister for Planning, at the time Richard Wynne MP, before he stepped down from the portfolio on 27 June and it was delegated to Lizzie Blandthorn MP.
President of Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers Andrew Howieson said the EES process should be adhered to strictly.
“We are now into September, and the State Government enters caretaker mode on November 1, so if we hit that date without a decision, it’s putting the project at risk,” he said.
“The funding does not last forever, and we don’t want to jeopardise all this economic unity and opportunity for outdoor recreation for the community.”
$11.3 million of funding was secured by 2019 for the first stage of the project including $3 million of Federal Government funding provided in 2018 that is valid until 8 June 2024.
Mr Howieson said the trouble has been that there has been no communication whatsoever.
“There’s been no indication to the public, and I’ve lost track of how many emails I’ve sent, I’m not even getting a staffer writing back. People just want an update.”
“We just want transparency from people who are meant to serve the communities, and at the moment, they’re just putting them under severe stress that doesn’t completely avoidable. People have put their lives on hold for this, and may or may not choose to make Warburton their home.”
Within four days of the petition being started on Saturday 17 September, it has garnered 883 signatures.
Member of the Rethink Warburton Mountain Bike Destination Derry Talvainn said Minister Blandthorn likely has a lot on her plate and shouldn’t rush a decision.
“They’ve got an election coming up, she’s totally new to the ministry. I don’t think the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination is an important issue compared to other planning issues,” she said.
“I would be afraid that if she took it on too soon, she might just try to push it through to get it off her plate, rather than to really look at the issues.”
“The position of Rethink Warburton Mountain Bike Destination is that the most important thing is that Lizzie Blandthorn takes a really considered and deep look at this and if that takes time, we are happy with that.”
The Office of Minister for Planning Lizzie Blandthorn was contacted for comment but failed to respond.
Anyone interested in signing the petition can do so here: https://www.change.org/p/minister-lizzie-blandthorn-please-make-your-decision-re-warburton-mtb-ees?redirect=false
