By Brendan Rees
A father of three is leading a push for a new BMX track to considered in Botanic Ridge.
Cameron Johnston submitted a petition to Casey Council calling for a new dirt track, saying it would be ideal for kids to enjoy the outdoors and have a “bit of fun”.
“My boys are always out riding. Obviously it’s a bit harder at the moment – they’re stuck,” he said due to the stage-four Covid-19 lockdown, which had left his three sons aged five, eight and 10 little choice but to use wooden bike ramps in their street as their nearest bike track was more than 5km away.
He said a new bike track in a safe environment would provide an active outlet for teenagers to get away from gaming consoles and television.
It comes as a number of illegal bike tracks built at reserves – complete with dirt mounds and jumps – have been bulldozed by council after being deemed “unauthorised” and “unsafe”.
“The kids just find a vacant spot somewhere … they’ve been building tracks and jumps under the high voltage powerline easement,” Mr Johnston said.
“We’re just trying to avoid that I guess and get a dedicated space where they can hangout and ride their bikes and stuff and not get into trouble.”
Mr Johnston tabled his petition of 550 signatures – 149 of whom reside in Casey – at a 4 August council meeting.
With council’s support he hopes that a new track can be delivered within the next 18 months, adding his discussions with staff had so far been “positive”.
In a letter sent to Mr Johnston, Casey Council said a new BMX track “and other skateable elements” had been proposed at a future park on Station Creek Way.
“This is the most appropriate location for this infrastructure as it can be easily installed and maintained by council outside of the restrictions of a high voltage powerline transmission easement,” the letter read.
“Unfortunately timing of the park development is uncertain as it is at the discretion of the land developer.”
Mr Johnston, a Botanic Ridge resident, said a BMX track had been promised in his estate when he moved in 10 years ago but was disappointed it had not eventuated.
Since starting the petition, Mr Johnston said he had many people offering to donate money towards the project.
“The hardest thing is getting approval, the cost of building is pretty minimal,” he said.
Casey Council administrator Miguel Belmar said it was “interesting” the petition had included signatures “from far and wide and that the City of Casey is of interest”.
“It shows that there’s facilities that may be required and that council will appropriately respond to petitions by ensuring the work is done to respond,” he said.
