UPDATE 4 DEC:

With the Telco project moved to the opposite side of the road to our DH track, their works cleared much of the other side of the road, making it easier for us to plan Stage 3 of Mt. Stuart Downhill. Construction on the new downhill track commenced below and opposite the Gauntlet and will continue over several weekends with the alignment finishing up near the existing car park. Contact Brian to offer help to hand finish some of the features on the new trail.

UPDATE 12 SEP:

Brian spent most of the day on site with the telco contractors. Using 2 x 5 tonne excavators the bulk machine work reinstated the MTB trail. This included works on 8 berms, installation/cleaning out 7 drains & installing 3 water bars. About 1000L of water was quickly soaked up by only a few sections of the dry dusty site.

The work will need to be hand finished and watered to be ready for heavy and regular riding so watch out for upcoming working bees. Telco contractors will be available to assist with water spraying and further heavy works as required.

We'll be monitoring contractors works going forward, especially the job to bore and cross under the road and with help from Townsville Council, the jobs to restore surrounding environment and install deterrents to 4WD vehicles.

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UPDATE 6 SEP:

Work to fix up the bottom track will commence next week (12th Sept) with contractors and Rockwheelers reps on-site to plan and carry out the job. Please avoid riding the lower ~500m of the bottom track until re-construction works are completed.

Planning is underway to alter the original route of the cable works to instead travel on the opposite side of the road, avoiding our MTB tracks. More updates soon.

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UPDATE 26 AUG:

Meetings took place today between reps from Rockwheelers, Townsville City Council and companies involved in the construction project and concluded with positive resolutions about future progress of works.

Contractors gave undertakings:
-to work closely with Rockwheelers on progress of works to install the cable and complete restoration works;
-to minimise damage to Rockwheelers MTB trail and surrounding environment impacted by the works;
-to restore Rockwheelers MTB track; and
-that the project will carry out works to address environmental impacts including erosion and sediment run-off.

Additional meetings and site activities will occur in the short term between Rockwheelers and contractors to effect the above.

PLEASE NOTE: A short piece of work will be conducted on the site immediately to move the works and the machinery to a more practical point - about 40m from where the excavator was stopped last Monday. Restoration works will then be conducted on the track and the environment already impacted. Target completion of this work is before our DH race scheduled for 4th Sept. While the work is being conducted, please be aware that machinery will be operating on site, observe all safety barriers and signs and refrain from engaging workers while they conduct works.

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UPDATE 22 AUG:

For the moment the contractors have stopped digging up the DH track. There are 3 companies at play and there is a meeting with major stakeholders and Rockwheelers reps later this week. Rockwheelers committee have been talking with local councillors and they are in support of us. There is no further info available until after the meeting this week.

However.... Race 3 WILL be going ahead, top track only.

It is important that we continue to ride and use our track as we always have to show it's still a valuable MTB asset for the community.

When it comes to the bottom track... if there are workers onsite and machinery in operation, do not ride in that area for safety reasons. Also remember... it is not the workers' fault so please be respectful to them, they are just doing as they are directed from above. If there is bunting and it is marked as a work site... don't enter, however this isn't the case at present. Be mindful that the track is in very different condition and there may be hidden obstacles ( ie big fat rocks) under the area already dug up. Watch this space and Facebook for updates.

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21AUG: Everyone is in shock seeing the bottom track at Mt Stuart being ripped up to pave way for a telecommunications cable and service access road. Rockwheelers Management didn't see this coming - we didn't get any warning.

But before you go off spraying your efforts of complaint to all and sundry, give us a day or so to investigate more about the works and pull together a plan of attack. We'll be far more effective if we can focus our voices with a concentrated message, to the right decision makers and to the right media organisations. Stand at the ready to send out form letters to government representatives and news outlets, to show up track-side for public protests and to write your own personal reflections on how much the downhill track at Mt. Stuart means to you.

For now Rockwheelers, keep heading up the mountain for your runs. That's your turf. Now's not the time to shy away from where you love to ride. Be bold and keep riding the track you love - your track, your toil, your blood, sweat and broken bones. We have Townsville Council's permission to operate a track at Mt. Stuart and it's not vacant land, not by a long shot. Let's make it clear that these works impact the lives of many people, young and old, who savour use of the track many times throughout the week.

If you need to vent use our forum, Facebook wall or email any and all of your Rockwheelers Committee: http://www.rockwheelers.com.au/club-info-mainmenu-43/about-rockwheelers-mainmenu-44.html