Digging in and putting the finishing floral touches to the Commonwealth Games mountain bike track at Lysterfield Park were, from left: Barry Coombes, Luke Perry, Megan Delaungy, Maria Lloyd, Camille Knight, Terra Akinson, Nicole Smith, Cathy Vowlis, Lillian Stesin, ranger Brett Mitchell and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan.By Cam Scott
LYSTERFIELD Park project to install a worldclass mountainbike track is almost complete.
Last week, nearly 7000 trees were planted along parts of the already established Commonwealth Games competition track, the last of 25,000 plants to line the track.
The plants, grown from local seed, will enhance the site and ensure the course is environmentally sustainable by preventing erosion.
Volunteers from Holmesglen TAFE, Nestle (both Games sponsors) and Parks Victoria pitched in to help complete the final works on the course.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said it was great to see different groups get behind the project.
“Overall the Lysterfield Park project is nearly complete. Construction of the competition course finished in May and the staging areas are now complete as well,” he said.
“The only component of the project still underway is the upgrading of the recreational trails.
“Victoria now has a worldclass competition course that leads the way in environmental sensitivity and sustainability.
“These plants will mean mountain bikers using the course can compete in one of the most beautiful settings in the world while protecting the unique environmental and ecological systems of the park.”
The $3 million project has built the competition trail, parking and staging facilities required to stage competition as well as installing essential services such as electricity and water. Work to upgrade the recreation trails is continuing.
Mountain biking has been one of the most popular sports in the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and 13,000 spectators snapped up the available tickets to the free event.
