Manning Park Trails Network Proposal

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Consultation has concluded

Thank you for your feedback. Comments are closed. View the news feed below for more information on the progress of this engagement.

Background

Council approved the Manning Park Master Plan in 2018. This plan outlines a 10-year vision and a list of actions for Manning Park. It also recognises the increasing demand for passive recreation opportunities at Manning Park, particularly mountain bike riding, given the growing network of unsanctioned trails throughout the park's upland area.

The plan lists several actions for enhancing passive recreation in the park, including the provision of purpose-designed trails. The trail network aims to safely and sustainably address user needs while allowing the closure and rehabilitation of specific unsanctioned trails. The City was to prepare separate plans

Thank you for your feedback. Comments are closed. View the news feed below for more information on the progress of this engagement.

Background

Council approved the Manning Park Master Plan in 2018. This plan outlines a 10-year vision and a list of actions for Manning Park. It also recognises the increasing demand for passive recreation opportunities at Manning Park, particularly mountain bike riding, given the growing network of unsanctioned trails throughout the park's upland area.

The plan lists several actions for enhancing passive recreation in the park, including the provision of purpose-designed trails. The trail network aims to safely and sustainably address user needs while allowing the closure and rehabilitation of specific unsanctioned trails. The City was to prepare separate plans for a mountain bike and running/walking trail network.

Draft 'Mountain-Bike Trail Network Concept Plan'

After the adoption of the Manning Park Master Plan, the City prepared a draft 'Manning Park Mountain-Bike Trail Network Concept Plan' for community feedback in 2020. The City received feedback from 1,146 people, mainly from Cockburn or Fremantle local government areas. Key feedback themes included:

  • Manning Park is a popular regional destination with significant environmental, social, recreational and cultural values.
  • Users visit the park for various reasons, from trail running to picnics by the lake.
  • Manning Park should be a welcoming space where all users can co-exist respectfully with each other and the environment.
  • Over 60% of respondents said the draft was 'good' or 'very good', or that they were somewhat happy with it. However, participants identified a number of key challenges, including: 
    • How to enhance environmental outcomes and protect significant areas within the park,
    • How to integrate the needs of other user groups, and
    • How to achieve an appropriate scale and scope of trails.

View the feedback summary in the document library here.

Community Working Group

The City formed a community working group to help address these key issues, amongst others, and offer potential solutions. The group's purpose was to provide insight and perspectives on the proposed trail network. 

The City received over 50 expressions of interest. An independent facilitator reviewed the submissions and selected members based on selection criteria and the need for a broad representation of participants. The assessor selected 18 representatives, including members of the following Manning Park user groups:

  • Local residents
  • Trail running/walking
  • Mountain bike riding
  • Orienteering
  • Friends of Manning Ridge
  • Cockburn Community Wildlife Corridor
  • Spearwood Progress Association
  • Hamilton Hill Community Group
  • Aboriginal Reference Group/individuals suggested by the Aboriginal Reference Group

Members attended four workshops and an outcomes meeting guided by an independent facilitator. The facilitator prepared a report outlining key findings and recommended the next steps. View the report in the document library.



Consultation has concluded

  • Project Update: October 2022

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    At the 13 October Ordinary Council Meeting, Cockburn Council voted to fund detailed ecological and cultural heritage studies at Manning Park. The results of these studies will help Council to decide if a formal trail network is viable in the park’s uplands.

    The heritage study will commence shortly. The ecological study will take place in Spring 2023, as this is the ideal time for flora and fauna assessment.

    The City is preparing a report for the Expenditure Review Committee in November 2022 with costings for the protection and maintenance of Manning Park in the interim.

  • Project Update: October 2022

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    At its meeting in May 2022, Council considered a report on the Community Working Group’s key findings. Upon consideration of this report, Council decided to defer any decision on trails until a costings report is prepared and considered by the Expenditure Review Committee (ERC).

    The City has now completed this report, which details the costs and presumptive timings for:

    • A full evaluation of the biodiversity and environmental values of the area.
    • An Aboriginal heritage assessment
    • An European Heritage Assessment
    • Creation of a detailed specific management plan for Area 30
    • Commencing a structured process regarding trails development following the DBCA Trails Development Process – Eight Staged Planning Process.

    The City recently presented this report to the ERC. The ERC meeting minutes and their recommendation is being presented to Council on Thursday, 13 October 2022. A copy of the agenda is available on the City’s website.

    The meeting commences at 7pm, and anyone is welcome to attend. Register your attendance via the City’s website. The meeting is also live-streamed via the link on the City’s website.

  • Project Update: May 2022

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Council met on Thursday 12 May 2022 to discuss a potential network of formalised trails in a section of Manning Park.

    Cockburn Council voted to defer any decision on trails in Manning Park. It will now consider the costs and timing of biodiversity and environmental evaluations, Aboriginal and European heritage assessments, the creation of a detailed management plan for the upland park area and a structured process for trails development using the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ eight-stage planning process for trails development.

    These costs and timings will be presented to the City’s Expenditure Review Committee for consideration by September 2022 at the latest, after which Council will reconsider the matter.

    If a management plan for the park is completed as a result of future Council decision, the City will form a Community Advisory Group to guide and inform the plan and Manning Park’s future management.