The purpose of this document is to provide a framework for the
maintenance of existing trails and construction of new trails within the
Central Coast Mountain Bike Club (CCMTB) Permit Area set out by
Forestry Corporation NSW (see figure 1). This policy also outlines the trail building and
maintenance philosophy and guidelines that CCMTB have adopted along with club
procedures when dealing with unauthorised trail building or modification within the
permit area. All trails, whether maintenance, new or reroutes, will follow MTBA Trails
Advocacy and Development trail building standards and the standards set out in this
document.
Trail philosophy
CCMTB’s Ourimbah trails have a history of being technical with features using the
natural contours of the land. The majority of users who use the trail are novice riders
who enjoy the tight single trail along with well-known areas such as Jelly Legs and the
The Drop on the cross country course and the use of natural rock and jumps on the
downhill course. The downhill and gravity enduro trails should be built and maintained
to ensure that it is challenging for riders to ride fast and a distinct advantage given to
those with superior technical skills. On the cross-country course trails should be built
and maintained to ensure that riders are given a mix of technical uphill, flat and flowy
trail as well as tight single trail that blends in with the natural surroundings.
Trails maintained or built should adhere to this philosophy and be mindful that users
and the committee do not want an entirely well groomed trail that poses little technical
challenge. Drainage, erosion and trail longevity are a primary concern when building or
maintaining trail.
1.1 New trail construction
Any new trail built within the permit area must follow the appropriate course of
consultation with Forestry Corporation NSW and CCMTB committee. An application
must be submitted to CCMTB for the committee to consider for any new trail. CCMTB
will then consult with Forestry Corporation NSW for feedback and any subsequent
ecology or environmental report(s). New trails must follow the correct process for new
trail approval and will be subject to written approval from Forestry Corporation NSW. A
flow chart for the process is as follows:
• Get permission from CCMTB to proceed with planning a new trail.
• Plot planned trail on contour map including commentary on control points, features and any structures such as bridges or jumps.
Please refer to the bridge guidelines contained in this document. Provide costs for any materials that are required to be purchased.
• Plan a contour route to ensure that you do not exceed the maximum sustainable grade of 10% using a topographic map for XC.
DH/GE must ensure that correct drainage and features are put in place to minimise erosion and maximise longevity of the trail.
• Submit all relevant documents to CCMTB for final submission to Forestry Corporation NSW.
• PROCEED ONLY IF WRITTEN APPROVAL IS GIVEN
• Walk and flag the corridor. This should be done with CCMTB committee members and Trail Maintenance Coordinator.
• Develop a construction plan to include width of trail, method of construction, how long it will take and who will be involved in its
construction. It is suggested that new trail be done in stages to ensure sustainable and well-built trails are constructed. IMBA trail
building standards must be followed.
1.2 Maintenance of existing trails
Maintenance days
CCMTB aim to conduct organised trail maintenance days throughout the year where
areas of known need will be addressed. Notification of these events will be though
through the use of social media, MTBA group email and personal involvement with the
users of the trails. When maintaining or fixing existing approved trails within the permit
area MTBA Trails Advocacy and Development trail building standards are to be
followed. If you are not aware of MTBA Trails Advocacy and Development trail
standards please refer to the book ‘Trail Solutions- IMBA’s Guide to Building Sweet
Singetrack’ or the trail maintenance coordinator. The trail maintenance coordinator will
be responsible for identifying areas of maintenance need in consultation with club
members and preparing a plan for maintenance days. The trail maintenance
coordinator will also be responsible for the briefing of volunteers on CCMTB trail
maintenance days. All due care should be exercised and best judgement used by a
club member who is not familiar with MTBA trail standards is working on the trail and a
club member familiar with MTBA trail standards in not available to offer advice or
rulings. A reroute may be made if the trail is considered to not be viable; again,
drainage and erosion are of upmost concern when making this decision. Any reroutes
should be made in consultation with a member of the committee and photos taken
during the construction for future reference and must not be made outside of the
specified ‘trail corridor’ outlined in section 1.6 of this document.
Maintenance outside of specified trail maintenance days
Contact should be made with the trail maintenance coordinator stating what you would
like to repair including photos or sketches. You may be required to fill out a Trail
Assessment and Repair Sheet (see figure 2) if the works are considered significant.
Modification or detrimental maintenance to the track not authorised by the club will
require a notification to Forestry Corporation NSW and may lead to work done, being
undone and possible fines.
1.3 Safety
CCMTB require volunteers to wear bright coloured clothing, hi-vis clothing or a hi-vis
vest whilst on the trails. If a situation occurs where not enough hi-vis vests are
available then at least 50% of the persons currently working on a section of trail must
wear them. Signs should be shown at the trail head warning trail users of current
maintenance and signs on the approach informing riders of trail maintenance ahead
should also be displayed. Careful consideration must be made when closing sections
of trail and bunting should be used along with signs to close sections of trail. It is
expected that volunteers supply personal protective equipment such as but not limited
to hats, glasses, gloves, sunscreen and appropriate shoes. In the instance where
machinery is being used it is required that the section of trail being modified be closed
to all riders.
1.4 Mechanical equipment
No mechanised digging machinery can be used without written approval from Forestry
Corporation NSW. Ramming and vibrating plate machines to aid in the compaction of
soil can be used with care and consideration for other trail users. Chainsaws can only
be used to clear fallen trees from the trail if they are blocking the way. For reroutes,
trees with a diameter of 100mm at their widest part or more cannot be removed under
any circumstances. Power tools such as drills and saws for construction are permitted.
1.5 Unauthorised trail building
In the permit area CCMTB have been allocated there are strict conditions pertaining to
the construction of new trail and CCMTB, through this policy, have enacted certain
guidelines for building and maintenance of the trail along with an approval process for
any works undertaken outside of scheduled maintenance days and for new trails.
CCMTB will take any appropriate steps within its power and abilities to stop riders from
using an alleged unauthorised trail until it has been established, in consultation with
Forestry Corporation NSW, whether or not unauthorised work has been carried out. If
unauthorised trail or construction is found to have been conducted in the permit area
CCMTB will notify Forestry Corporation in the shortest possible timeframe with any
photographs, video or other evidence. Club members suspecting unauthorised work
should contact the club committee first to verify the validity of any claims, however,
club members can contact Forestry Corporation directly if they so wish. In the case of
suspected unauthorised work of a substantial nature (including felling of trees), the trail
and any other evidence should not be touched as it may hinder an investigation if
Forestry Corporation NSW wishes to pursue it. CCMTB committee members found to
be in serious breech of this policy or wilfully damaging forest within our permit area will
face a committee hearing on the matter and face disciplinary actions.
1.6 Trail corridor
Forestry Corporation NSW have permitted CCMTB a trail corridor of 5 meters either
side of an approved trail. This is for the purpose of such things as trail rerouting, A or B
line construction and for the gathering of rock and soil for trail building. Sensitivity and
understanding should be shown for obvious fauna habitat and any impact on native
flora. Trees with a diameter of 100mm at their thickest part may not be removed.
1.7 Decommissioning trail
This specifically relates to trail reroutes within the trail corridor described in section 1.6.
If a reroute has taken place then the old trail must be appropriately decommissioned. It
is considered best practise to block the old trail approach in order to disguise the trail.
If the reason for a reroute has been to control erosion then the old trail must be left in
such a way that this erosion does not continue. CCMTB do not consider it good
practice to simply put a large log or rock to block the entry to the old trail without any
further remediation of the previously used trail.
1.8 Water bars
CCMTB are guided by the MTBA Trails Advocacy and Development trail building
standards and as such do not approve the construction of new water bars or the
preservation of existing ones. Knicks, grade dips, rock armouring, bridges, rock
causeways, culverts and reroutes are to be used to control the flow of water and
minimise erosion.
1.9 Bridges
Any bridge built or re-built shall be done so using hardwood tread of at least 20mm
thickness attached to H4 treated pine stringers with a preference given to galvalised
steel. Stringers must sit on rock or hardwood footings appropriately secured into the
ground. The use of wooden pallets, regardless of wood type, is to be avoided due to
their short longevity.
2.1 Emergency repairs
Information signs are posted around the course and at the trailhead with contact
information of the trail maintenance coordinator so that riders can notify the club of any
emergency work that needs to be carried out. The trail maintenance coordinator will
notify committee members and what steps need to be taken to make the course safe.
A section of the trail or the whole trail may be closed if the problem cannot be rectified
in a reasonable amount of time.
Figure 1
Figure 2
TRAIL ASSESSMENT AND REPAIR SHEET
Location (include as much detail as possible):
Repair needed:
Sketch or photograph of existing trail:
Sketch or photographs of proposed repair: