Bikers devastated after bulldozing of historic jumps

Mountain bike riders have been left reeling after the bulldozing of a popular Sydney trail and jumps site that has been used for over 25 years.

The Red Hill dirt jumps in the Northern Beaches were demolished earlier this week despite an application to have them formally recognised, and without consultation with the riding community.

Located on crown land near Frenchs Forest, about two-thirds of the site, which contained dozens of jumps over 1000 sq m, has been flattened. A handful of jumps known as the ‘backline’ still remains on a portion of the site owned by the Catholic Church.

Local MP Michael Regan, the member for Wakehurst, told Central News: “This is terrible news and Crown Lands should have given appropriate notice, and also engaged with me as the local member as a basic courtesy. It is not acceptable, and I will be seeking answers but also a solution to have tracks returned and or authorised.

“We need a constructive path forward that recognises the value of community-built trails while also meeting safety and environmental standards.

“I completely understand the frustration from riders and groups like Trailcare who’ve been engaging in good faith conversations with Crown Lands.”

Jumps on the Crown Land side of the site have been removed. Photo: Chris McCarthy

Trailcare, a not-for-profit advocacy organisation, advises land mangers on sustainable mountain bike trail management.

Matt Ward, Trailcare’s spokesperson, said: “Crown Lands got a proposal from us, they got a whole bunch of stuff and it seemed like they were willing to have a chat. Since then we’ve had absolute radio silence and now the trails have been bulldozed.”

A spokesperson for Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said in a statement this afternoon: “The circuit was built without authorisation or planning and environmental approvals on a Crown reserve in an area that provides habitat for native plants and animals, including endangered species. Unauthorised works and use of the site have impacted the land.

“The circuit is in poor condition, has been subject to previous rider injuries, and its use presents a safety and public liability risk to both riders and the Department.

“Crown Lands has liaised with Trailcare, Northern Beaches Council and other government agencies about the circuit. Trailcare’s submission was assessed by professional consultants however they still recommended removal.”

Jumps on the adjacent Catholic Church-owned lot remain. Photo: Chris McCarthy

While not an officially sanctioned facility, riders have been taken aback as to why the trails were bulldozed so suddenly.

“I mean, obviously they were built informally, but Crown Land’s been aware of them for at least 10 years, if not longer,” said Ward.

“It’s not like riders cleared the land either. It was land that was cleared for a TV set decades ago.”

The site was originally a quarry, then transformed into the set of 1980’s TV series Five Mile Creek starring Nicole Kidman.

Bliss Contracting, who were contracted by NSW Crown Lands to carry out the clearance works, said in an Instagram post learning of the site’s history made the job ‘difficult’. The post has received over 100 comments from mountain bikers condemning their actions.

A statement from Trailcare said: “Destruction of valuable community asset like this should not be taken lightly. The effect on community and social fabric must be taken into consideration. This particular facility has stood for three decades, and holds a special place in the hearts of a vast number of people.”

In 2023 local rider Fletcher Crowley was paralysed following an accident at the jumps, but yesterday dismissed the closure of the trail on safety grounds, saying: “I knew the risk I was taking. I was just doing what I loved.

“I would spend so much time there, the amount of people I met… It gave me so much to do and got me out of the house.

“It gave a playground I guess for so many people to go and make new friends and practise their skills outdoors.”