Mixed reviews: Mt Hallowell Trails Network plan attracts support and criticism from local community

Plans for a trail network at Mt Hallowell have been met with a mixture of support and criticism from the Denmark community. Mt Hallowell— an A Class Reserve 5km south-west of the town of Denmark— was identified as a proposed location for a trail network in the Great Southern Regional Trails Master Plan 2020-2029. Several options were explored including Mt Shadforth, Weedon Hill, Inlet Drive, Recreation Centre Reserve, and Mt Lindesay, according to a Shire spokeswoman. The Shire and Great Southern Centre for Outdoor Recreation Excellence commissioned a concept plan, which was released for public comment last month. It features three walking trails, one shared trail, six mountain biking trails, decision points and trail heads, and the existing dieback wash station. “The primary focus of the Mt Hallowell Trail Network is the provision of trails for recreational walking and mountain biking that will be available for the local community and visitors alike,” the concept plan said. However Denmark Environment Centre convenor Bart Lebbing said he was opposed to a trails network being developed in a “biodiversity hotpot”. “We are 100 per cent opposed to this plan going ahead because first of all it’s an A Class Reserve,” he said. “The reserve is set aside for conservation and recreation, but within the recreation it says it should only be walking. “Mountain biking and bike riding is something that people love to do and we are not against that — I ride a bike myself regularly — but to do this in an A Class Reserve that has been set aside for conservation purposes is not compatible in the long term.” Denmark Mountain Bike Club vice-president Brad Drummond said the trail network would be a win for the local club and community. “We think the concept plan is great. We are well aware it would be on an A Class Reserve, that’s why the Shire have undertaken all the stages, studies and concept plan” he said. “If we had a trail network they would actually have somewhere where they could go and really push their limits, train and better their skills. “At the moment they have nowhere to go and train. “We would also to be able to take new riders out, introduce them to the sport and hopefully get them on board and grow the sport.” According to the concept plan, the reserve is susceptible to environmental impacts such as the spread of dieback, domesticated and feral animals, invasive weeds, erosion, and unmanaged access by vehicles, pedestrians and bikes. The reserve is also home to threatened species such as black cockatoos, as well as being a potential habitat for quokkas and western ringtail possums. According to the concept plan, “new trail construction should not remove or damage habitat that is suitable for threatened species”. “The construction of new walking and mountain bike trails has the potential to exacerbate environmental impacts,” it said. “To mitigate potential impacts, the Mt Hallowell Trail Network will employ sustainable planning and construction methods for the proposed walking and mountain bike trails . . . and incorporating existing trails and fire roads where possible.” The DEC have suggested an alternative site for a mountain bike trail network at the corner of Glenrowan and Turner roads, about 6km north-west of town. “We looked around in the Shire and looked for alternatives, we found one block that’s on the corner of Glenrowan and Turner roads which is a reserve that has already been impacted by human activity,” Mr Lebbing said. “There are tracks through it, it’s steep and it would be a good site for mountain bike riding I think, although I’m not an expert. “People say it’s not a good site because it’s too far from town, I agree that it would be fantastic to find an area right in town where kids could access it easier, but not Mt Hallowell.” Mr Drummond said the location of Mt Hallowell would be a drawcard for locals and visitors. “The biggest advantage with the location is there are already linked trails from town, from Ocean Beach Caravan Park, Rivermouth Caravan Park and associated location hotspots to get to the trails safely,” he said. “Kids could ride there with only having to cross one or two roads, families don’t have to ride along any roads, there are linked footpaths to get there. “The DEC proposed a new site and they are saying it’s got this and that, but . . . there are no linked footpaths to get there and that’s why we think the proposed area is the best location.” Mr Lebbing said another reason Mt Hallowell was not suitable for the proposed trail network was because of the cultural significance of the granite outcrops in the area. The concept plan says “there are no listed Aboriginal heritage sites in the reserve” but it does acknowledge the granite outcrops are culturally significant to Indigenous people. “All efforts have been made for concept trail alignments to pass around granite outcrops, proposed trails must be realigned to avoid granite outcrops as required during future project phases,” the concept plan said. The public comment period for the concept plan closes on August 1. Shire officers will then collate community feedback and produce a report with recommendations for the September council meeting.