To be fair, local government has a typical approach because there is an expectation of accountability and due process with everything they do. They're spending public money and need to do the right things in that process. I'm not going to defend it as always being right, but it's worth keeping in mind when looking at the actions they take (i.e. developing strategic plans).
agreed in part, they also often do the hard yards in regards to environmental issues ensuring that their is minimal impact to flaura and fauna and are great at working with other stakeholders. But in being accountable to ratepayers often means they are fearful of taking risks or seeking out different approaches. But like in this case it simply isn't/hasn't/wont work so it's high time they tried something new, it really is the definition of insanity to continue to do the same thing but expect different results.
Instead of doing the same old thing like the rest of the southern councils do in hiring Dirt Art to do a plan and build a pump track/dirt jump/skills park people can see when they drive by, how about take lessens from clubs/councils/cities/countries that actually get the job done.
Rotorua is a prime example that springs to mind. The redwoods trails are mostly hand built by volunteers who are allocated an area/trail to build and maintain. By natural selection/rider preference these trails either live or die by the quality of their build and only the best survive or get handed over to builders who do a better job.
A lot of trail is also built (or at least was) by prisoners on release/day programs. This was something I looked into locally when we were doing a plan for the Lea and was looking to be a viable option for us as well.
So no councils don't have to stick by this approach every time and it's just a lack of vision that restricts them in getting things done IMO.
Are Glenorchy looking to attract overseas and interstate visitors with their new MTB park plans? Or are they looking to build a resource for local riders? I personally think the latter is just as important (if not more so) than the latter, but that's probably my bias as a local speaking.
Good question, my take on things is that they have this now neglected park that used to be a jewel in their crown, now they have what is representative of their council as a whole, a neglected, run down public space that they need to do something about before it becomes a real problem. North South track still feeds into the park which means tourists/visitors/locals finish their rider their and it can really tarnish the experience if they attempt to explore it. The area is also frequented by trail bike riders and other illegal activity so again really takes the polish off things.
I can understand their hesitance with volunteers, it takes quite a bit of commitment to run a volunteer program that gets consistently good turnout and results. You need to find the people, and you need to engage them in a way that keep them coming back (trail maintenance doesn't hold much glory)
Agree its hard to engage and retain volunteer labour, but there was and is plenty of people still prepared to get the job done and have been doing so. What was built at Glenorchy, has been built at Clarence/Meehan/SOHO and many more trails is far superior to what has been paid for by Glenorchy/Kingston and Clarence councils.