Wollongong City Council and project contractor Dirt Art are appealing for mountain bike and trail bike riders to stay out of Cringila Hills while the tracks are under construction.
However, while Dirt Art has been moving forward on the construction of the mountain bike tracks, there have been a number of instances where mountain bike and motor bike riders have illegally entered the site and trails still under construction.
"This is so disappointing and it's something Council and Dirt Art are working with NSW Police to try and put a stop to,'' Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
"Right now, no one should be on the site, except Council staff and contractors who may need to undertake critical work for safety reasons. If any residents who border the site hear or see mountain or motorbike riders I ask them to please report it to NSW Police immediately. The illegal actions of these riders are damaging the pathways and tracks that are not yet finished. It needs to stop.
"I know our diverse mountain biking community is looking forward to being able to explore these purpose-built trails aimed at all skill levels, and we're looking forward to opening this space as soon as possible. But every time these paths are damaged by illegal riders it runs the risk of setting the project back.''
Dirt Art's Managing Director Simon French appealed for people to do the right thing.
"Our construction teams have been working through ongoing weather and COVID-related challenges so it is disappointing to be further set back by riders doing the wrong thing,'' he said.
"Riders are risking their safety and the safety of our staff if they are accessing the site illegally, and also delaying the project through what has, in some cases, been very significant damage to the incomplete trails. We ask riders to be patient – the trails will be worth the wait.''
Once finished the mountain bike trails in the Cringila hills will suit riders whether beginners, intermediate or advanced. The trails will cover around 11.1km and there will be another 2.5km of shared-use and walking trails.
The trail construction started in April, and while the project is underway Council is also carrying out some weed management, planting, wayfinding signage and the management of some illegally dumped waste in the area.
"There has been a lot of interest in these trails from our community and it's a key project for this Council to deliver,'' Cr Bradbery said.
"The trails are another element to the international recognition of Wollongong as a UCI Bike City and is another piece of the puzzle when it comes to supporting biking and cycling in all its forms.''
The project is due to be finished in spring 2021 pending weather, COVID-19 restrictions and any further damage caused by delaying construction progress.
The project is jointly funded by Wollongong City Council and $525,000 from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (phase 2).
