In June 2017 Council purchased the Suffolk Park Recreation
Ground from the NSW Department of Education. Council had an
interest in the land since 2001 with a licence agreement to build
and maintain a sports field and other recreation-based
infrastructure. A plan of management (PoM) for the recreation
ground was adopted in September 2019. During this process, and the
development of an Open Space and Recreational Needs Assessment
Action Plan, community feedback on the development of a pump track
was canvassed and generally supported.
In 2019 the Suffolk Park Progress Association (SPPA) applied
for, and was successful in obtaining, a grant of $156,300 from the
NSW Government via its My Community Projects fund. Recognising the
benefits to the local community, Council will contribute $118,700
to the project.
WHAT IS A PUMP TRACK?A pump track is a circuit of rollers,
banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by
riders ‘pumping’ —generating momentum by up and down body
movements, instead of pedalling or pushing.
Pump tracks were originally designed for the mountain bike and
BMX scenes, but they are also used by skateboard and scooter
riders, and they are generally accessible to wheelchairs. Pump
tracks are relatively simple to use and cater to a wide variety of
rider skill levels.
WHY DO SPPA AND THE COUNCIL WANT TO BUILD A PUMP TRACK ON THE
REC GROUND?The Suffolk Park Recreation Ground is currently home to
a skate park, tennis court, soccer field and informal community
garden, bocce/boules area and a children’s playground.
This reserve is an important meeting place for local residents.
The pump track will provide another activity for people of all
ages.
SPAA and the Council believe a pump track will be well-used by
local residents and will help to strengthen and foster a sense of
community cohesion in Suffolk Park. The pump track will be:
• Custom designed to suit the needs of the community including
landscaping and areas to sit and watch the fun.
• Suitable for all skill levels and a perfect learning
environment for kids.
• Cater for bikes, scooters and skateboards.
Suffolk Park Pump TrackInformation sheet
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OPTION 2 – This site, on the southern side of the community
garden is very close to neighbours and has drainage problems.
OPTION 3 – To the east of the tennis court and skate park this
site is not a viable option because of flooding and drainage
problems and this means no fill can put in this area.
OPTION 4 – The Suffolk Park Football Club has proposed its
preferred location, taking in a section of option 1, and running
parallel to the soccer field. This would allow for an extra half
soccer field to be built. This could have an impact on the
community garden.
OPTION 1 – The north west corner is the furthest away from
properties and allows for landscaping and plantings to complement
the pump track. This site is the least challenging with respect to
drainage and has no impact on the existing community garden.
4
Where on the recreation ground will the pump track be
built?Council has investigated three sites proposed by SPPA with
one site (Option 1), the preferred location for the pump track.
HOW BIG WILL THE PUMP TRACK BE AND WILL IT BE NOISY?The track
will occupy a footprint of approximately 60 x 40m (2,400m2). Pump
tracks are not noisy, with rubber tires on asphalt generating very
little sound. They have been successfully built in urban locations
around Australia with no noise issues.
The Suffolk Park pump track will have an asphalt surface that
has several long term advantages:
• Can withstand heavy use – less wear and tear.
• Minimal maintenance.
• Does not need to be continually rebuilt after periods of wet
weather.
WILL IT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE EXISTING FACILTIES ETC?Plans to
locate the pump track in the north-western corner will not have an
impact on existing uses or Council’s Plan of Management for the
area.
I AM A NEIGHBOUR – HOW WILL I BE AFFECTED BY THE PUMP
TRACK?Local residents will generally ride their bicycles and
scooters to the area. The increase in users may attract more people
from outside the area.
CAN I HAVE A SAY ABOUT THE PUMP TRACK?SPPA and Council invite
comments and feedback on the pump track. This information will be
used to inform the final location and be used in the design
brief.
Council and SPPA will work with residents to understand any
concerns. Please go to www.yoursaybyronshire.com.au to share your
thoughts and comments.
HAS THERE BEEN COMMUNITY CONSULTATION ABOUT THIS
PROJECT?Consultation was undertaken as part of the development of
the Plan of Management and additional consultation was undertaken
as part of the Open Space and Recreational Needs Assessment Action
Plan which sought community feedback on the development of a pump
track.
SPPA held two meetings to share the idea of the pump track with
the community.
A community survey was undertaken from 30 May to 27 August 2018
to inform Council of community preferences for recreational
improvements for the land. The pump track was the most strongly
supported option. The results of this survey informed the
development of the current adopted Plan of Management.
On 13 December 2018, Council adopted the Open Space and
Recreational Needs assessment Action Plan which included
construction of a pump track in the reserve. The current adopted
Plan of Management authorises a pump track.
WHY IS THE SUFFOLK PARK PROGRESS ASSOCIATION MANAGING THIS
PROJECT AND NOT COUNCIL? On the 11 September 2019, the Suffolk Park
Progress Association (SPPA) was advised it was successful in its
application for a grant of a $156,300 contribution from the NSW
Government’s My Community Projects 2019 fund for the construction
of a pump track.
Council is contributing $118,700. The estimated cost of the
project is $275,000.
WHEN WILL THE PUMP TRACK BE BUILT?Construction is planned to
start in April/May 2020 and will take around six weeks.
Byron Shire Council | 70 Station Street, Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Tel: 02 6626 7000 | Email: [email protected] |
www.byron.nsw.gov.au
I WANT TO SHARE SOME IDEAS OR GIVE SOME FEEDBACKGo to
www.yoursaybyronshire.com.au
WANT MORE INFORMATION?Suffolk Park Progress Association: 0417
406 978 Council: 6626 7000
