By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Ranges Council has been successful in obtaining funding from the State Government through the Growing Suburbs Fund to design and construct a pump track at Wesburn Park.
Supported by the Draft Wesburn Master Plan, the project’s design concept is open for community consultation until Friday 16 December.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor and O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child said in Wesburn, 89 per cent of respondents wanted to see a bike park facility with 72 per cent of respondents preferring a pump track facility.
“In October and November 2021, we asked the Yarra Ranges community what bike park facilities they wanted to see in their region. Through this process, 2000 submissions were gathered, showing just how much the community wanted better spaces for residents to safely ride their bikes, scooters and skateboards,” he said.
“It was clear that the community wanted to see a new bike facility that reinvigorated the public space at Wesburn Park and with funding from the State Government Growing Suburbs Fund, Council has been able to design and construct a pump track that meets the community needs, is event capable and supports recreational park infrastructure.”
In the consultation form, respondents can indicate any features that they would like to see included that aren’t in the concept design, point out any features they think are unnecessary, pick out any specific technical features that interest them, submit what equipment they might use on the track and state any other outside features that would be important for the space.
Cr Child said projects such as this offer a wonderful opportunity to turn under-utilised spaces into something that delivers enormous community benefit.
“Two of the major objectives in our Wesburn Park Masterplan include building connected and healthy communities and building quality infrastructure and liveable places, which this project strongly aligns with,” he said.
“One thing that our community has made abundantly clear to us during this consultation is just how highly they value local open space, so to be able to transform and activate this space into a place that can be used and enjoyed by all ages and abilities is really exciting.”
A range of mountain bike infrastructure including a jump and skills park are included separate from the pump track as part of the Wesbun Park Masterplan, subject to funding.
Cr Child said he strongly encourages the community to share their ideas on what features and designs they would like to see for this new pump track, to ensure that the aligns with community aspirations.
“Social spaces and viewing areas will be incorporated around the outside of the Pump Track which will provide opportunities for those wanting to socialize but also those who may not be familiar with how to use a pump track. These people can view riders using the pump track which provides an opportunity to be inspired and may entice them to try it out for themselves,” he said.
“The Pump Track will also complement the recently approved Warburton Mountain Bike Destination project by providing a safe area for beginners or newcomers to mountain biking to practice or progress their skills prior to riding the mountain bike trails.”
The Wesburn Park Pump Track is slated to begin construction in March 2023, with an estimated completion date of sometime in June 2023.
