TRAIL
MAINTENANCE& CONSTRUCTION
POLICY
The purpose of this document is to provide a framework for the maintenance of existing trails and construction of new trails within the Central Coast Mountain Bike Club (CCMTB) Permit Area set out by Forestry Corporation NSW (see figure 1). This policy also outlines the trail building and maintenance philosophy and guidelines that CCMTB have adopted along with club procedures when dealing with unauthorised trail building or modification within the permit area. All trails, whether maintenance, new or reroutes, will follow MTBA Trails Advocacy and Developmenttrail building standards and the standards set out in this document.
Trail philosophy
CCMTB’s Ourimbah trails have a history of being technical with features using the natural contours of the land. The majority of users who use the trail are novice riders who enjoy the tight single trail along with well-known areas such as Jelly Legs and the The Drop on the cross country course and the use of natural rock and jumps on the downhill course.The downhill and gravity enduro trails should be built and maintained to ensure that it is challenging for riders to ride fast and a distinct advantage given to those with superior technical skills.On the cross-country course trails should be built and maintained to ensure that riders are given a mix of technical uphill, flat and flowytrail as well as tight single trail that blends in with the natural surroundings.
Trails maintained or built should adhere to this philosophy and be mindful that users and the committee do not want an entirely well groomed trail that poses little technical challenge. Drainage, erosion and trail longevity are a primary concern when building or maintaining trail.
1.1New trail construction
Any new trail built within the permit area must follow the appropriate course of consultation with Forestry Corporation NSW and CCMTB committee. An application must be submitted to CCMTB for the committee to consider for any new trail. CCMTB will then consult with Forestry Corporation NSW for feedback and any subsequent ecology or environmental report(s).New trails must follow the correct process for new trail approval and will be subject to written approval from Forestry Corporation NSW. A flow chart for the process is as follows:
1.2Maintenance of existing trails
Maintenance days
CCMTB aim to conduct organised trail maintenance days throughout the year where areas of known need will be addressed. Notification of these events will be though through the use of social media, MTBA group email and personal involvement with the users of the trails. When maintaining or fixing existing approved trails within the permit area MTBA Trails Advocacy and Development trail building standards are to be followed. If you are not aware of MTBA Trails Advocacy and Development trail standards please refer to the book ‘Trail Solutions- IMBA’s Guide to Building Sweet Singetrack’ or the trail maintenance coordinator. The trail maintenance coordinator will be responsible for identifying areas of maintenance need in consultation with club members and preparing a plan for maintenance days. The trail maintenance coordinator will also be responsible for the briefing of volunteers on CCMTB trail maintenance days. All due care should be exercised and best judgement usedby a club member who is not familiar with MTBA trail standards is working on the trail and a club member familiar with MTBA trail standards in not available to offer advice or rulings.A reroute may be made if the trail is considered to not be viable; again, drainage and erosion are of upmost concern when making this decision. Any reroutes should be made in consultation with a member of the committee and photos taken during the construction for future reference and must not be made outside of the specified ‘trail corridor’ outlined in section 1.6 of this document.
Maintenance outside of specified trail maintenance days
Contact should be made with the trail maintenance coordinator stating what you would like to repair including photos or sketches. You may be required to fill outa Trail Assessment and Repair Sheet (see figure 2) if the works are considered significant. Modification or detrimental maintenance to the track not authorised by the club will require a notification to Forestry Corporation NSW and may lead to work done, being undone and possible fines.
1.3 Safety
CCMTB require volunteers to wear bright coloured clothing, hi-vis clothing or a hi-vis vest whilst on the trails. If a situation occurs where not enough hi-vis vests are available then at least 50% of the persons currently working on a section of trail must wear them. Signs should be shown at the trail head warning trail users of current maintenance and signs on the approach informing riders of trail maintenance ahead should also be displayed. Careful consideration must be made when closing sections of trail and bunting should be used along with signs to close sections of trail. It is expected that volunteers supply personal protective equipment such as but not limited to hats, glasses, gloves, sunscreen and appropriate shoes. In the instance where machinery is being used it is required that the section of trail being modified be closed to all riders.
1.4 Mechanical equipment
No mechanised digging machinery can be used without written approval from Forestry Corporation NSW. Ramming and vibrating plate machines to aid in the compaction of soil can be used with care and consideration for other trail users. Chainsaws can only be used to clear fallen trees from the trail if they are blocking the way. For reroutes,trees with a diameter of 100mm at their widest part or more cannot be removed under any circumstances. Power tools such as drills and saws for construction are permitted.
1.5Unauthorised trail building
In the permit area CCMTB have been allocated there are strict conditions pertaining to the construction of new trail and CCMTB, through this policy, have enacted certain guidelines for building and maintenance of the trail along with an approval process for any works undertaken outside of scheduled maintenance days and for new trails. CCMTB will take any appropriate steps within its power and abilities to stop riders from using an alleged unauthorised trail until it has been established, in consultation with Forestry Corporation NSW, whether or not unauthorised work has been carried out. If unauthorised trail or construction is found to have been conducted in the permit area CCMTB will notify Forestry Corporation in the shortest possible timeframe with any photographs, video or other evidence. Club members suspecting unauthorised work should contact the club committee first to verify the validity of any claims, however, club members can contact Forestry Corporation directly if they so wish. In the case of suspected unauthorised work of a substantial nature (including felling of trees), the trail and any other evidence should not be touched as it may hinder an investigation if Forestry Corporation NSW wishes to pursue it.CCMTB committee members found to be in serious breech of this policy or wilfully damaging forest within our permit area will face a committee hearing on the matter and face disciplinary actions.
1.6Trail corridor
Forestry Corporation NSW have permitted CCMTB a trail corridor of 5 meters either side of an approved trail. This is for the purpose of such things as trail rerouting, A or B line construction and for the gathering of rock and soil for trail building. Sensitivity and understanding should be shown for obvious fauna habitat and any impact on native flora. Trees with a diameter of 100mm at their thickest part may not be removed.
1.7Decommissioning trail
This specifically relates to trail reroutes within the trail corridor described in section 1.6. If a reroute has taken place then the old trail must be appropriately decommissioned. It is considered best practise to block the old trail approach in order to disguise the trail. If the reason for a reroute has been to control erosion then the old trail must be left in such a way that this erosion does not continue. CCMTB do not consider it good practice to simply put a large log or rock to block the entry to the old trail without any further remediation of the previously used trail.
1.8Water bars
CCMTB are guided by the MTBA Trails Advocacy and Development trail building standards and as such do not approve the construction of new water bars or the preservation of existing ones. Knicks, grade dips, rock armouring, bridges, rock causeways, culverts and reroutes are to be used to control the flow of water and minimise erosion.
1.9Bridges
Any bridge built or re-built shall be done so using hardwood tread of at least 20mm thickness attached to H4 treated pine stringers with a preference given to galvalised steel. Stringers must sit on rock or hardwood footings appropriately secured into the ground. The use of wooden pallets, regardless of wood type, is to be avoided due to their short longevity.
2.1 Emergency repairs
Information signs are posted around the course and at the trailhead with contact information of the trail maintenance coordinator so that riders can notify the club of any emergency work that needs to be carried out. The trail maintenance coordinator will notify committee members and what steps need to be taken to make the course safe. A section of the trail or the whole trail may be closed if the problem cannot be rectified in a reasonable amount of time.
Figure 1
Figure 2
TRAIL ASSESSMENT AND REPAIR SHEET
Location (include as much detail as possible):Repair needed:
Sketch or photograph of existing trail:
Sketch or photographs of proposed repair: