Motorcycle Council of NSW Ph: 1300 679 622 (1300 NSW MCC) | trailriders@mccofnsw.org.au

Long Swamp needs action

During the Summer 2020 fires one of the bridges over the Cox’s River at Ben Bullen State Forest was destroyed forcing forest users transit the swamp.

This particular swamp is a priority due to its size and importance to the local environment and anything we as riders can do to avoid it is much appreciated by the LLS and Forestry Corp. The plan is to have bridge repairs done as soon as possible so the swamp can be restored.  It will be nice because we would then not have to get our bikes covered in mud. Pensioner Express Trailriders (Facebook group) is playing an active part on behalf of riders to help identify areas that us riders can easily avoid so that areas at risk can be regenerated.

Happy Valley swamp bridge

Centraltablelands Local Land Services have a project to provide a level crossing for trail bikes through a section of the Happy Valley swamp behind Clarence MX track. Huw Evans, the Senior Land Services Officer based in Lithgow has been asking around for assistance from local trail riders about the design of the bridge. Glenn Alderton, the Admin of the Pensioner Express trail riding Facebook group offered the services of the group in an advisory role to help Huw get the planned structure correct. An onsite meeting was held in late May 2020 and a plan going forward was decided on with consideration to the riders needs and the swamps protection. It will be a rock path of approximately 1 metre width with bordering fences.  This will ensure a long-term pathway for bikes and a better future for the swamp. Over the years the swamp has been heavily damaged by both 4×4’s and bikes and 4×4’s were excluded several years ago from access to the area.  Bikes continued to transition albeit reluctantly due to the amount of water and mud. This new bridge sees the initial stages of a long-term association with riders and government authorities seeking to develop solutions that satisfy all users of the forest.