In the interests of stopping further damage to the environment and preventing potential injuries to members of the public and ANSTO staff, motorcyclists and cyclists are being asked to stay out of bushland surrounding ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus.
Bikes have long been prohibited in this area, but existing signage has been removed and vandalised. ANSTO has recently put up new signs reminding members of the public of their responsibilities and a reminder that not complying does carry a fine.
Local residents support ANSTO's concern for structures such as jumps and ramps being placed there by cyclists. The structures are causing serious environmental degradation around the pathways, including interference with streams which are part of the Georges River catchment. Pathways have been dug into the landscape and trees have also been chopped down. Parts of the bushland around ANSTO also contain environmentally sensitive areas and Aboriginal sites of historical and cultural significance.
Con Lyras, General Manager of ANSTO’s Engineering and Capital Programs said, "We are concerned at the potential for cyclists or bushwalkers to be injured, and safety, in particular the safety of staff and local residents, is always our primary concern. We appreciate the bush is attractive for recreation and we welcome bush walkers to use the marked walking trails, however ANSTO is appealing to the bike rider groups to respect the request.”
There are currently two designated walking trails on the ANSTO site, a blue and a pink walk. The 2.6 kilometre blue walk starts on the northern side of New Illawarra Road opposite ANSTO’s main entrance and is marked by a blue marker sign.
The walk takes hikers through native bushland with a feature of the walk being ancient aboriginal engravings. The walk takes approximately two hours.
The easiest of the two walks, the pink walk, starts at the Lucas Heights Motel and offers views of the Woronora Valley.
Although four kilometres in length, the walk takes only one-and-a-half hours, walking at a relaxed pace. There are flyers about ANSTO walks available at the café, and online.
ANSTO is facilitating a meeting between key stakeholders and riders’ groups to explain its updated signage and enable discussions among attendees.
Published: 05/07/2011