Bayswater resident and petitioner Laurie Flight.
Camera IconBayswater resident and petitioner Laurie Flight. Credit: Supplied/Kristie Lim.

Bike trail proposal rejected

Kristie LimEastern Reporter

A BIKE trail at Hinds Reserve in Bayswater will not go ahead after the council sided with more than 500 residents who feared for the destruction of the area.

The majority of councillors supported an officer’s recommendation at last month’s meeting to not to progress with the proposed bike trail and to investigate further options for trails within the City.

Consultant Common Ground Trail conducted community meetings and as a result concluded that while it was feasible to develop a facility at the reserve, it would be an “over-development” of the site considering the current natural values and proximity to residents.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

The consultant recommended investigating other sites, including Lightning Park Recreation Reserve, Riverside Gardens East and Claughton Reserve.

A petition with more than 570 signatures was presented to the council.

Hinds Reserve in Bayswater. Kristie Lim
Camera IconHinds Reserve in Bayswater. Kristie Lim Credit: Supplied/Kristie Lim

Petitioner Laurie Flight said residents were pleased with the decision.

“Signatures collected came from several suburbs across the City of Bayswater, not just from residents who lived within close proximity to Hinds Reserve,” he said.

“Residents who supported the preservation of Hinds Reserve as a natural ‘wild space’ believe that council should make every effort to prevent this from ever happening again.

“The City of Bayswater prides itself on increasing its tree canopy and being the ‘Garden City’ and therefore should ensure that bushland and wetland is preserved at all cost.

“Now, more than ever, we should all be taking measures to ensure our natural environment is a top priority.”

Mayor Dan Bull said as part of the feasibility study, the City was advised the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions did not support “active recreation” in a wetland environment.

“The City has listened to these concerns, along with those of local residents, and opted not to progress with the development of a bike trail at Hinds Reserve,” he said. “The City will investigate the need for a bike trail as part of its Community Recreation Plan.”

Cr Catherine Ehrhardt, who proposed the original idea, said her intention was to incorporate a single trail and not cut any trees.

She said she supported further investigations into other locations because the City lacked bike amenity.

More news from around Perth