Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea has welcomed assurances given over the future of the former WSN waste facility at Belrose, following the sale of WSN assets.
Mr O'Dea's comments follow this week's meeting of the Community Advisory Committee, which was also attended by representatives of government landfill operators, Waste Asset Management Corporation and new owners of the adjoining waste transfer station, SITA Environmental Solutions.
"The operation of the Belrose waste facility has been a contentious issue, particularly for locals, over an extended period of time," Mr O'Dea said.
"Assurances have now been repeated that the facility will be closed by the end of 2014 and that the land will be returned to the community for recreational use.
"This is an issue I have been closely involved with over the past four years. I have actively pushed for a firm 'use by' date and a return of the land for community recreational use," Mr O'Dea said.
"It is planned the area will be rehabilitated and modified predominantly for mountain bike riders, who have been actively seeking desperately needed facilities.
"This plan has become closer to reality with a recent, independent Site Assessment Report from Dirtz Traxn Trailz determining that the landfill site is 'suitable for a controlled, structured mountain bike facility'.
"It would benefit the community and meet an indentified need for an off-road cycling facility in northern Sydney," Mr O'Dea said.
Brett Butler of the Manly-Warringah Mountain Bike Club said, "We're delighted to move a step closer to a proper and legal mountain biking facility in Sydney's north."
"I have also encouraged the transfer of 10 protected hectares of the Belrose landfill site into the Garigal National Park. A biobanking application, which would facilitate the transfer, now appears close to finalisation," Mr O'Dea concluded.
