Hooning is a problem

I am responding to suggestions that part of the Woy Woy Landfill should be used as a trail bike track to provide a facility for persons currently riding illegally in other areas.

Whilst council is very concerned with the illegal use of parks and bushland areas by trail bike riders, the Woy Woy Landfill site is not suitable for a bike track as this is a busy council work site handling in excess of 1450 vehicle movements a week, including numerous heavy vehicles.

Council is responsible for the safety of all persons who enter the work site and the use of the landfill site as a bike track would potentially compromise the safety of landfill customers and staff.

In the litigious society within which we live, it could also expose council and in turn ratepayers to significant financial risk.

Aside from this, there is no suitable land area within the landfill for a bike track as the banks must maintain a grass cover to prevent erosion of the material covering the waste and the flatter areas are required for the stockpile of operational materials.

This facility is also subject to strict licence conditions issued by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, including a requirement to document the registration and weight of every vehicle entering and leaving the facility.

Council acknowledges that "hooning" is a problem in our community and that we need to find somewhere for young people to ride.

This will be a challenge.

Council rangers will continue to work in cooperation with the police and take action against persons illegally riding motor bikes on Council parks and bushland areas.

We will also be taking a serious look at any proposals and suggestions that come forward to address the community need for such a facility.

Cr Chris Holstein, Mayor of Gosford