Fight for The Grove!

Muz

Grove Master
Hi everybody!
Once again it's time for another Council meeting! We have had great attendance at the past 2 (thanks to all who came) but this one is big time...

It's at the Council Chambers at the end of the Corso in Manly(not Seaforth oval this time). Monday 10th Nov at 7:30pm. The more people we get there, the sooner they'll bring up our motion and we can all go home (or a street ride in Manly).

The Council is going to vote on a motion to support the re-building of the Grove. If it gets through, it has to happen. If it doesn't get through, we could be stuffed (for another 6 months until we can try again).

So 'what can I do' you say?

1. Email Councillors (http://www.manly.nsw.gov.au/Councillors.html). Emails must be individual (in your own words) and respectful (correct use of the english language will also be beneficial, so use spell check). Try get these points through...
a. The Council destroyed our trails with no consultation with the riders or the community.
b. Dirt jumpers are not a "problem" that will just go away if you bulldoze our trails, we are a large, legitimate user group who needs somewhere legitimate to ride.
c. We want professionally designed and constructed dirt jump trails for a variety of skill levels built where the Grove used to be.
d. Any other sensible, productive point.
e. Also explain who you are.

2. Get you parents to email Councillors.

3. Turn up at 7:30 Monday night at the meeting. Numbers will make them realise we mean business.

Post up any questions.

Cheers, Dave.
 
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dcrofty

Eats Squid
I'll whip something up in the next day or two and sent it in. I'll mention the MTB skills parks here in vancouver and the high numbers of young kids that you can always see at them.

I assume this dude might be a supporter?
Councillor Mark Norek


Councillor Norek previously served on Manly Council from 2004–2008 and is a former Deputy Mayor of Manly Council (2007–2008).

He has been the Managing Director of national events companies for 20 years. His business 'Life’s an Adventure’ specialises in outdoor activities such as kayaking, bushwalking and mountain biking.




GET OFF YA BUTTS and make it happen people. The reason that the famous North Shore exists is that MTB'rs in Vancouver pack out council meetings with massive numbers and show that we are a legitimate and respectable group.
 

Muz

Grove Master
I assume this dude might be a supporter?
Councillor Mark Norek

His business 'Life’s an Adventure’ specialises in outdoor activities such as kayaking, bushwalking and mountain biking.
Yeah he's the Councillor moving the motion and lives just near the Grove.
Thanks for your support dcrofty, even from the other side of the world!
 

Tristan23

Farkin guerilla
I'll put something together to email off to Councillor Norek.

And i'll be there for sure. Let's get on this thing, yo.
 

unitec

Likes Dirt
Email Samples

Hey muz,
Would you like people to put up some samples of what they have sent off to councillors so that guys that have a bit of writers block can get some ideas?
Probably wouldn't want too much cut & pasting though.
 

dcrofty

Eats Squid
Hey quick question. Does The Grove have a more formal name or an address or is there a meeting minute reference to put on my letter or am I just going to be able to call it The Grove and everyone will know what I'm talking about?
 

Tristan23

Farkin guerilla
Hey quick question. Does The Grove have a more formal name or an address or is there a meeting minute reference to put on my letter or am I just going to be able to call it The Grove and everyone will know what I'm talking about?
Someone should probably correct me on this, but i'm pretty sure if you titled it something along the lines of 'The Grove Dirt Jumps, Seaforth' people would know what you're on about.
 

dcrofty

Eats Squid
Someone should probably correct me on this, but i'm pretty sure if you titled it something along the lines of 'The Grove Dirt Jumps, Seaforth' people would know what you're on about.
Righto. Ta. I'll go with that to begin with and change it if I have to.
 

Muz

Grove Master
Someone should probably correct me on this, but i'm pretty sure if you titled it something along the lines of 'The Grove Dirt Jumps, Seaforth' people would know what you're on about.
Yeah, by now they know what The Grove is. But as tristan said, drop the words Seaforth or Dirt Jump Trails and they'll know what you're on about. Thanks everyone. Dave
 

Muz

Grove Master
I'll put something together to email off to Councillor Norek.

And i'll be there for sure. Let's get on this thing, yo.
Thanks Tristan. Mark Norek is already on our side so other Councillors are probably more of a priority. Though a few to him won't hurt.
 

frenchie

Glenorchy MTB Park
Dave,

I just emailed you some research stats to help back your case...
I'll join the councilor spamming this arvo as well;)

Frenchy
 

Burgertron

Likes Dirt
Positive Responses...

Just thought I would let you all know that after sending an email to Mayor Jean Hay and "cc"ing all the other councillors i received very positive responses from Adele Heasman and Mark Norek and acknowledgment from Jean Hay....so all in all a good result....If you send it they will read it...as a group we can bring about significant change...so type an email NOW!!
One quick email sent now is much better than no email sent later.
This is what I sent
Dear Councillors
I would like to express my strong support for the provision of mountain biking facilities in the area known as "The Grove" behind Seaforth Community Centre
As a keen mountain biker for over 15 years I have seen the numbers of cyclists, especially mountainbikers explode and I believe that more facilities are required to accomodate these people and to reduce the impact on other areas like Manly Dam.

Having new trails to ride and visiting and exploring new places is great fun for me,my family and my mates.

For example,recently 6 of us went to canberra to Stromlo Forest Park( http://www.stromloforestpark.com.au/mtb/index.html )
to compete in the Scott 24hour race( http://www.corc24hour.com.au/index.asp?IntCatId=14 )
and not only had a blast but spent quite a bit of money too....probably around $200-300 each(accomodation & food & supplies/memorabilia)
2390 riders did the same.....this must equate to some serious revenue for the local economy!!...

I think that if new mountain biking facilities were developed in the Seaforth area with the support of the council and the local community ,..the benefits would be substantial.

Furthermore...I would like to show my support for Dave Musgrove who has shown dedication and determination over a long period of time for his beloved "Grove". I think he should be supported and have council permission to oversee the redevelopement of the area known as the "Grove". Just make sure he puts in a pumptrack so an old bloke like me can enjoy it too!!
sincerely xxxx
 

dcrofty

Eats Squid
Here is the letter I sent



Dear Manly Councilors,

Re: ‘The Grove’ Dirt Jump trails. Seaforth.

I am writing today to urge you to vote in support of the proposal before council at your next meeting to establish legal Dirt Jump trails at the Grove in Seaforth.

Dirt jumping and trail riding are an increasingly popular activity for young people in Manly shire but the current lack of legal facilities is a major impediment to this fun and healthy activity. The proposal before council is a chance to remedy this situation and provide a truly modern and innovative facility for local young people, to encourage them to participate in outdoor pursuits in a controlled and safe environment and to showcase Manly council as a progressive leader in the provision of modern facilities in Australia.

I notice in Council’s Management Plan for 2008-11 that a key outcome of the Manly Sustainability Strategy Theme is “The provision of a diverse recreational, social, educational and support program for young people in Manly aged between 12 and 18 years.” A dirt jumping facility would be an excellent means of achieving these stated objectives and providing a facility for the youth of Manly that they have been lacking to date.

I hope that you will also consider that the provision of this facility can have other benefits to the Manly region and its remnant bushland in particular. I worked in the Bushland Unit of Sutherland Shire Council in southern Sydney for 5 years. During this time it was common for me to discover bike trails which had been illegally built in remnant bushland by people frustrated over a lack of legal faculties to ride their bikes. Often these trails or jumps were situated in Endangered Ecological Communities. Not only were these sites damaging to the environment but they represented a constant drain on council resources to remove them and rehabilitate the areas. I am sure that Manly council staff can attest to similar situations occurring in your shire. Building a legal set of dirt jump trails will no doubt see a reduction in illegal trail construction and usage.

Currently I live in Vancouver Canada. To date local councils in the greater Vancouver area have constructed close to a dozen bike parks containing dirt jumps. These parks are now heavily used by locals of all ages as areas where they can safely and in a controlled environment learn to ride their bikes and progress their skills and most of all to have fun. I have volunteered my time to help build one of the local parks and whenever I go there I see family groups using the faculties and young people outside riding their bikes and enjoying themselves and I hope that when I return to Australia that I might be able to see similar things happening in local parks there.

As a final comment I would like to mention the volunteer aspect of the trail riding community. Bike riders as a group possess a strong volunteer ethic and are willing to take hands on and proactive role in managing their facilities. This is a positive aspect for Manly council as the riders are willing to take ownership of this proposed facility which will lead to decreased management costs in the long term with a strong probability that there will be less vandalism and littering of the site. No doubt many local riders have professed a willingness to be involved in the design and ongoing management of the site and I hope that, should the proposal be successful, their efforts could be harnessed.

Thank you for taking the time to consider what I have to say and I urge you strongly to vote in favor of this proposal.

Yours truly,

David Croft
 

dcrofty

Eats Squid
So I guess a few pointers that would be good for people to put in letters.

-there are a gutload of policy papers floating around from all levels of government relating to the provision of youth services and facilities and obesity stuff. I've mentioned one relevant one from Councils own management plan (that's a big file by the way) but it would be good if we can dredge up more specific examples. Anyway, short story is council has existing policies calling for them to provide facilities for young people and Dirt jumps are a way they can do that

- Legal jumps means less illegal jumps for them to have to worry about, reduced environmental damage etc

- tell them you are willing to help out with the maintenance etc. Two reasons to do this are that all councils are short on cash and anything we can do to reduce the cost of the facility is a great thing and secondly it shows that people are willing to get involved an put in hours and they love being able to put those hours in reports and stuff and show how their community gets involved.

-let them know that this is new and cutting edge in the Sydney area and its a good chance for manly council to look progressive and proactive, again this is another thing that councils love

-I haven't mentioned much about liability I suspect frenchie and others can cover this best, perhaps people can mention that it can be managed these days.


Run a spell checker over your letters so that they are readable but don't feel too much pressure to produce a super serious and flash letter. This is a facility for young people and its cool if it shows in your letter that you are young and probably even preferable in this case. Its most important that you do something.


Get your mates to write one too. In 5 years of working for a council you would be amazed and probably angry at how I can tell stories of 2-3 written letters will get big decisions made by councils. A single letter can be dismissed as a crackpot but anything more is community feedback to a councillor. So write something, no matter how short and send it in.
 

Burgertron

Likes Dirt
Great info...

Great information and an excellent letter dcrofty
Get typing people...only 3 more sleeps till meeting time:D
 
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