BMX riders get their tracks

By Sarah Schwager
CASEY Council has endorsed a proposal to build 13 new BMX dirt facilities around the municipality.
The decision came after an appeal from Casey’s young residents to provide them with dirt tracks and jumps.
Research by council officers into the need for dirt bike facilities in the city complemented the increasing popularity of the sport.
Council will now look at building facilities, including BMX dirt track and separate dirt jumps section, in Melville Park Drive Reserve and Adelong Court in Berwick North, Viewgrand Drive Reserve in Berwick South, Central Parkway Reserve in Cranbourne West, Heywood Grove Reserve in Endeavour Hills North, James Alexander Reserve in Endeavour Hills South, Tooradin Recreation Reserve, Anchorage Drive in Blind Bight, KM Reedy Reserve and Lesley Reserve in Hampton Park, Max Pawsey Reserve and Norfolk Drive Reserve in Narre Warren and The Avenue Park in Narre Warren South.
The lack of BMX facilities for Casey’s youth has been raised several times over the past year.
As reported in the News last month, council officers, in investigating suitable sites in Blind Bight, came across a makeshift dirt track made by young people among vegetation, which they deemed unsafe.
It was just one of a number of man-made tracks and jumps built by local youth to make up for the lack of facilities.
Casey deputy mayor Kevin Bradford said the decision to develop the new BMX tracks was a tremendous outcome for Casey’s young people.
“We are doing our best in the city to provide active entertainment to tackle obesity and the influx of electronic games,” he said.
“It is something this council should be very proud of.”
Council will also consider funding for upgrades to 13 of Casey’s existing BMX dirt facilities, such as adding jumps.
Submissions can be made on the recommendation with the report to be placed on community exhibition for two months before a final report comes back to council.