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6 Chancellor Street SHERWOOD 4075 5 January 2007 The Executive Director – Bill Hauritz Woodford Folk Festival Queensland Folk Federation PMB 2 Woodford 4514.
Dear Bill, Sustainable Transport Way Caboolture / Moodlu / Wamuran / Bracalba / D’Aguilar / Woodford / WFF Site
Congratulations to Woodford Folk Festival [WFF] and Epic Cycles [EC] for providing the ‘sustainable transport camp-ground’ [STC] catering to Festival campers travelling by bicycle or public transport, and typically creating only a small ecological footprint at WFF – many small tents co-located in a compact tree-shaded space, a weather-proof communal meeting place/shelter, and no car-parking spaces required.
I came to WFF again this year from Sherwood, by private car, as a Season Camper, [though fully aware of, and despite the great luggage service and excellent ‘end-of-trip’ facilities providing a great incentive to recreational cyclists like myself to attend WFF in a more environmentally sustainable manner], because, as the WFF website section “How to get there – getting there by bicycle” acknowledges, “The roads to Woodford are scenic, with a hill or two, but not bicycle-friendly, and recommended only for experienced cyclists comfortable with fast-moving traffic”.
I cycle about 10,000Km a year including a 30Km daily commute on a bikeway; frequent night rides to coffee and dinners, numerous weekend rides on country roads, and in 2006 two supported trips each of about 600Km over a week duration. See Centenary Bikeways Group [CBG] website for ride and activity details - www.centenarybikeways.com However, like many other fellow cyclists who attend the WFF site each year, I am not comfortable with the route and traffic conditions to Woodford and the WFF site – specifically for me, the lack of a bike-lane between Caboolture, Woodford and the WFF site, forcing my interaction with the fast-moving traffic, if I was to cycle.
If the route could be made more safe, I would cycle to all events I attend throughout the year at the WFF site!! And I’m certain that many other cyclists think likewise. There is a closed rail-line from Caboolture to Wamuran which has great potential for utilisation as a ‘recreational rail-trail’ for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, which Caboolture Shire Council has developed for 5Km length (see website railtrails.org.au – >Queensland Trail Descriptions>Caboolture-Wamuran Rail Trail) – and the Main Roads roadway from Wamuran through Woodford to the WFF site generally has adequate shoulder for bike-lane provision without further road works. Caboolture Shire Council has developed a horse trail from Wamuran to D’Aguilar, quite remote from the road alignment.
I am seeking to identify, and elicit potential stakeholders expressions of interest and support to Caboolture Shire Council, for a bikeway linking of Caboolture, Woodford and the WFF site. Those I have identified include:
Each of these stakeholders necessarily will have their perspective on a proposed cycle-way, yet collectively they might see sufficient advantage among them to act collectively, and reap not only those initially readily identifiable benefits, but also those benefits less immediately apparent.
I have approached Bicycle Queensland; Epic Cycles and Caboolture Sports Cycle (bicycle shops), and Centenary Bikeways Group, who has expressed interest in participating in discussions to progress the ‘off-road’ linking of Caboolture, Woodford and the WFF site.
Discussions I had on 5 January 2007, with Mike Halliburton indicate that Feb to April 2007 is the ‘window of opportunity’ for stakeholders to
as it considers how it will progress its recreational trail network as part of South-east Queensland’s Integrated Regional Cycle Network Plan.
I spoke with Carly Jeavons, Open-space & Recreation Planner, Community Development Unit, Caboolture Shire Council on 5 January 2007. She advised that CSC is currently intending to form focus workshop groups to determine where recreational trails should be developed across Caboolture Shire. She welcomes expressions of interest in participating, with details of the representation, and specific focus of interest within the CSC area. Expressions of interest can be addressed to Ms. Carly Jeavons, Open-space & Recreation Planner, Community Development Unit, Caboolture Shire Council, P O Box 159 Caboolture Q 4510.
I ask that WFF consider
Could you please give this suggestion consideration with due regard to the consultation timeframe / deadline of mid January 2007??
I would appreciate being appraised of developments as I am seeking to represent Bicycle Queensland interests in the development of better cyclist access from Caboolture to Woodford and the WFF site. Further, I will be urging other potential stakeholders to self-identify to Caboolture Shire Council and engage in the consultation and focus working group processes.
Regards
John C Taylor cc. Bicycle Queensland Principal Advisor, Integrated Transport Planning P O Box 5957 peter.d.berkeley@transport.qld.gov.au West End Q 4101 Attn. Manager - Ben Wilson.
Epic Cycles Shop 1 / 81 Baroona Road Paddington Q 4064 Attn. Manager - John Pittendreigh
Centenary Bikeways Group convenor@centenarybikeways.org
Caboolture Cycle Sports 31 Morayfield Road Caboolture Q 4510 Attn. Manager - Denise Russell.
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