BIRT - Map Overview of Trails

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=z-DARa3QUEqE.krj6uDM4NtKw&hl=en

Round Mountain

Late in August (before too many snakes had started to get active) I again ventured over Round Mountain. I really cannot recommend a trail which is safe enough for the general public. Yes I loved the adventure, many wildflowers and I scoured the slopes for a hint of track to make it easier, but nothing came easy. Rewarding vistas were readily available to the hinterland, over Cudgen Lake and over Bogangar. The Round Mountain trig point marker had been damaged and the mountain is littered with hazards in the form of fallen branches ankle twisting rocks hidden under flattened grass but thankfully no snakes. Knowing how arduous the summit climb is, I now think that we should concentrate on defining a trail to the smaller hilltop closer to the village. Judy Ros and Gary have left some marker tape leading to the smaller hill. Before we add this as a trail we hope to find the safest route. I have some pictures from both hilltops for you to compare. Apologies for the picture quality but I only took my phone this time.

Replantings on the north facing slope between the two peaks

Lake view from the smaller hill

Views to the west of the high peak

Bogangar from the high peak

Lake view from above the saddle

The sad state of the Trig Marker

Lake boat ramp to Bush Chapel circuit

GRADE: 2

APPROX LENGTH: 2KM; ABOUT ONE HOUR TO WALK

ACCESS:  Cudgen Nature Reserve Tamarind Ave Bogangar. Parking available at the boat ramp on Cudgen Lake. There are gas barbecues and picnic tables in this area.

DESCRIPTION: A fairly easy walk through Melaleuca Forest. There are obstacles on the track including many fallen trees that need to be climbed over. There are no sign posts, however the track is easy to follow.

• The track commences east of the boat ramp. Stage 1 is a flat, sandy track following the edge of the lake, behind Cabarita Lake Apartments. A small inlet needs to be traversed at this point. This can become boggy following rain. Continue along the lake’s edge climbing over fallen timber.
• The trail will connect with an old Fire Trail after approx 1.15km. Turn left onto this trail and you will arrive at a cleared beach on the edge of the lake. There are superb views of both the Lake and Mt Warning. A great spot for a swim on a hot day or bird watching.
• Retrace your steps back along the Fire Trail (heading East) passing the track you arrived on. Approx 200m along the Fire Trail you will see the Bush Chapel on your right. This originally belonged to Wollumbin Scout Camp and provides a beautiful spot for a picnic.
• The track now becomes harder to follow; head south from the Bush Chapel and you will see markers in the trees and logs marking the track on the ground. Approx 100m from the Chapel you turn right at a burnt tree stump; a further 100m you will see a turn on your right which will lead you back to the original track or continue straight along coming out again at Cabarita Lake Apartments.

Australian Walking Track Grading System

Mike has shared with me a great resource on track grading.
Here is a small excerpt and a link to the original page.

It has an excel spreadsheet that grades trails and tells you how to promote them.
Example photo below.

Background to the Australian Walking Track Grading System

The Australian Walking Track Grading System is a technique for uniformly grading walking tracks and communicating that grade to the walking public. 

The aim of the Australian Walking Track Grading System is to encourage people who are not regular or confident bushwalkers to get out there and give it a go. It is specifically designed to reassure entry level walkers, particularly the disabled or people walking with children, that a particular track is suitable for their skill level.

Under the new system, walking trails are graded on a difficulty scale from grades one to five.

• Grade One is suitable for the disabled with assistance
• Grade Two is suitable for families with young children
• Grade Three is recommended for people with some bushwalking experience
• Grade Four is recommended for experienced bushwalkers, and
• Grade Five is recommended for very experienced bushwalkers

More info at Australian Walking Track Grading System

Whale Watching Platform Design

We have an opportunity to put our final design concept directly to the TSC Construction Planning team at a site meeting. Interested parties are welcome.

Appointment on Norries Headland

Time 8.30 am Monday 5th August 2013

 

It was resolved at our last meeting to prepare a written brief as an adjunct to Dan Plummer's Concept plan.

The NSW Govt grant matched by TSC work and project management means about two thirds of the plan may be affordable.

 

Our brief is couched in generic terms so that management of labour coordination, materials handling and protection of the environment is left to those best able ensure the best outcome.

 

1 AMENITY Build a low level terrace / deck of minimal visual impact. No hand rails.

 

2 SAFETY Minimize trip hazards and height of deck. Visitors will include small children and elderly.

 

3 SUSTAINABLE Balance of amenity, cost, durability,

future maintenance.

 

4 FUNCTION Anticipate the movement of people at this lookout. eg lead additional visitors around (behind) those already seated. Best views are to the east and south so try to pitch seating to different quadrants of this panorama. Provide comfortable seats. Anticipate that some visitors will want to venture further than the platform.

Interpretive signage may inform visitors of Whale Migration also of Major Landmarks-Cape Byron, Hastings Point, Woolumbin - Mt Warning, Kingscliff 

 

5 RESPECT  and ensure the beauty of this point,its natural wild exposed ruggedness is not spoilt.

 

Minutes of Meting 9th July 2013

Attendees: Faye, Anthony, Mike

 

Apologies : Luke, Ron, Elaine

                 I (Mike) would also apologise for the limited notice of meeting.

                 I have added more names from the original group of interested people

                 for future notices.

 

Discussions 1 Thank you to Ant and Luke for driving the activity of the

                        group over the past year.

             

                     2 Update re Whale watching platform. Community Building Grant

                       was successful and funds have arrived into Caba SLSC account.

                       TSC Rod Keevers has conducted an inspection of the site to assess the potential environmental impacts. He feels the themeda grasses impacted can be managed in the site works. Our group will be included in a further site visit/ discussion of DA.

ACTION mike to advise group of date and time of that meeting. Mike also to prepare a description of the design concept that our group had agreed upon.

 

                       3 Faye advised that Dunecare have allowed for one of the signs they are having made to be dedicated to the Whale migration information. Faye said she will ask Suzi to do a mock up of a concept and forward that to us for comment/ input.

 

                       4 Destination Tweed and TSC are collaborating on assessing Recreational Trails. Several press reports suggest Bill Tatchell and Barry Longland are key drivers for this report. ACTION mike to contact Destination Tweed .

 

                       5 Networking ACTION Ant to explore connections with Pony Club and Mountain Bike Groups . Mike to attend the CEDC meetings.

 

                       6 Refocussing. The group has been distracted by the Whale Watching Platform. Resolved to recommence the auditing of our priority trails.

$30,000 study into Tweed Trails

Hi
Just saw in the council minutes of a motion that might help us / lead to more people using trails around Caba.
Regards
Ant

CNL-13 [NOM-Cr B Longland] Walking Trails Within the Tweed Shire

NOTICE OF MOTION:
Councillor B Longland moves that Council provides $5,000 towards the cost of completing a
study and report on opportunities for the expansion of walking trails in the Tweed Shire, with the project to be managed by Destination Tweed.

With the current closure of a number of the Tweed's walking trails, including the Mount
Warning Track, and the impact this is having on local business, it is timely to review the
region's ability and capacity to position itself as a centre for soft adventure tourism.
A study on the trails; what we have, what we can do and what needs to be done, will greatly assist in
our understanding of our current position and inventory, as well as providing the rationale
and supporting documentation for grant funding applications.

The cost of a study and report is estimated by Destination Tweed (DT) to be $30,000, with funding of $15,000 from Destination Tweed and $10,000 from the Caldera Institute.

Council Meeting Date: Thursday 16 May 2013
Page 26

This project will support the development of longer term product diversity which will both
provide the region with a point of difference and assist in developing economic opportunities
for local business.