Grove Bike Park at Seaforth will be upgraded this financial year in consultation with bike riders and local residents.

Council will also work with the community, environmental experts and the biking community to identify additional suitable biking locations in the area.

Mayor Regan said Council continues to recognise the passionate and growing community of mountain bikers on the Northern Beaches.

“We know interest in the sport is increasing and we want to provide as much support as possible.

“It needs to be done in a measured and sustainable way, being sensitive to the precious bushland so loved by our community.

“We will continue to work with the biking community to prepare a design for the Grove and the result will be a major boost for off-road cycling in the area - this will be finished this financial year.

“We also have a fantastic world-class mountain bike facility coming online at Bare Creek Belrose this year and a dirt jump track at JJ Melbourne Hills Reserve, which complements the pump track and BMX track, will be complete in the next six weeks.

“We will continue to work with our community to explore any additional options on the Northern Beaches. There is an additional small bike track currently on exhibition.”

Council will rehabilitate bushland removed to make unauthorised bike trails in Baringa Ave and Koobilya Reserves, next to the Grove Bike Park, following independent environmental and trail assessments and consultation both with local residents and the bike community.

Mayor Michael Regan said community demand for recreational activities and the protection of bushland was a delicate balance.

“In this case, we closed off the area where the unauthorised tracks had been created while we gathered as much information as possible to make an informed decision about what our next steps would be,” Mayor Regan said.

“Over two months we sought feedback from local residents, community groups and mountain bike groups and received 85 submissions.

“We also engaged specialists in mountain bike trails and the environment to provide both reports on the environmental impacts and the trails.

“All this intel ensured we could make an informed decision in the interests of our community.”