Rough ride for BMX

By Melissa Meehan
BUNYIP residents say they are still in for a bumpy ride despite the Cardinia Shire Council agreeing to reduce elements of a BMX track built in Wattle Tree Road.
Cardinia general manager for community and well-being Fiona Hodges said a lot of effort by local residents had gone into building their track, which was funded by both the shire and the State Government.
But said the council was now applying some modifications to the track in response to community feedback.
“We’ve recently had contact from some members of the community and as a result modifications will be made to reduce the size of elements of the track,” she said.
But Bunyip resident Don McLean said he did not believe anything had changed.
“The council has egg on its face and are trying to save face,” he said.
“The locals have always believed that we would get a few bumps and a little track where any bike rider would be safe unsupervised – then this monstrosity was sprung on us.”
Mr McLean said the track was a waste of ratepayer and taxpayers’ money.
Wattle Tree Road resident, Nora Griffith, who lives next door to the track, said she wasn’t sure how she felt about the modifications.
“Until I see what they are proposing, I’m not sure whether it’s good news,” she said.
“They say they are going to reduce elements of the track, what does that mean?”
Although the council released information that they would make changes to the track last week, residents say they are none the wiser about the finer details of the modifications.
“I think the changes, if they go ahead, are not before their time,” Ms Griffith said.
“They should have come to us to begin with – the first thing we knew about it was when works started in January.”
Ms Griffith was quick to point out that she was not against a BMX track in Bunyip, but said unless the track was reduced to a third of its current size it was in the wrong area.
She said the recreation reserve in town would be a much more suitable site for a competition course.
“A competition track down at the rec reserve would be fabulous for local kids, something really special,” she said.
“But the council says that is not possible, so I guess they’ll have to reduce it to a third of its size where it is or we’ll have to take it further.”
Ms Hodges said the project had generated a lot of interest and thanked residents for their feedback.
She said the council would continue to work with the community to resolve any issues and complete the facility.
“It is important to us that we get it right for BMX enthusiasts and the wider community,” Ms Hodges said.