Bywong Greenways

Bywong/Wamboin Greenways and MAP

The Greenways of the Bywong/Wamboin area of Palerang Council is a unique and valuable community resource. It is a network of public walking and riding trails created for the use of local residents .The Greenways also act as wildlife corridors and are essential resources for the welfare of local flora and fauna.

The network was originally based on land dedicated as Crown road reserves and road verges.  It was Yarrowlumla Council policy to include Greenways  into new subdivisions as many of these larger blocks also included public land, i.e. Crown road reserves. The Bywong/Wamboin Greenways now comprises a network of 30 kilometres and you can see a map here.  They were established as a 'pilot project'within a vision of a Shire-wide network of Greenways, and Greenways supporters hope that the network will be expanded within Palerang Council boundaries.

FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE MAP OF THE ENTIRE AREA INCLUDING CROWN ROADS AND ACCESS ROADS, CLICK HERE.

Management

The Greenways are managed by a management committee of the Palerang Council comprised of local residents. The management committee will respond to all issues and complaints and refer any complaints to Council they have been unable to resolve, such as repeated use of motorised vehicles on the Greenway.  Complainants are entitled to responses in writing and all communications should be directed to the Secretary.
Maria Taylor, Secretary Ph: 62369386 media@palerangbulletin.com.au

Jan Day, Treasurer

Sam Woodford (Committee Member)

Geoff Butler (Landcare Representative)

Greenways Conditions of Use

The Greenways Management Committee oversees the good management of the corridors, in cooperation with the community and user groups for the benefit of the conservation of nature and use by the community.

To help us maintain them in good condition as a community resource for the use and enjoyment of all, the following rules apply:

• No motorised vehicles,**
• All noise to be kept to a minimum,
• All users must respect private property and the adjacent residents' privacy,
• The carriage of firearms or other weapons and hunting activities are not permitted,
• All rubbish to be removed,
• All gates should be left as found,
• No neighbouring residents are to fence, obstruct, plant on or otherwise interfere with the Greenways,
• Dogs should be under control at all times,
• No camping,
• No lighting of fires,
• Remain on the defined track,
• No collection of natural or archaeological items, and
• All users are encouraged to report issues or problems to the management committee.

The Committee may place restrictions on the use of any or all of the Greenways if degradation occurs or is likely to occur due to prevailing conditions of environmental concerns.

**Note: The use of unregistered motorised vehicles (especially trail bikes) may expose the riders of these vehicles to serious liability risk if an accident were to result.

Principles and objectives for management of the Greenways

Principles

• That environmental protection be observed in relation to the management and administration of the Greenways;
• That the Greenways (both land and its other resources) be used and managed as a sustainable resource, and;
• That multiple use and enjoyment of the greenways be encouraged.

Objectives

In providing for the good management of the Greenway and in carrying out duties, the committee has the following objectives:

To encourage and otherwise ensure the conservation of natural flora and fauna, to raise public awareness of the importance of the Greenways and to encourage any community participation in :    

• Any actions required in the management plan  

• Use of the Greenways in accordance with the Management Plan                                                                                                  

• To minimise the effect of trampling and soil erosion caused by user groups,
• To deter the introduction and spread of feral plants and animals,
• To protect the waterways, ephemeral or permanent,
• To protect all identified significant areas or sites, whether environmental or cultural,
• To provide and maintain the amenity of the Greenways for the enjoyment of the community

History of the Greenways Project

 Public demand for riding trails in the Bywong/Wamboin area first arose in the early 1980s, and in 1985 the Palerang Council established a working party to develop a Shire-wide approach to a Greenway network that resulted in Palerang Council adopting "Access to the Countryside" as their Bicentennial theme in 1988.

In 1989, the then Geary's Gap Community Association (GGCA) developed a case for the establishment of the first Greenway in the area. The GGCA held public meetings as part of public consultation process. As a result of community action and support, the Palerang Council provided an initial grant to establish the first Greenway in 1990. Two key residents in developing the concept and negotiating with Council, were the founder of the local Pony Club and later Shire Councillor, Suzanne Ridley and the late Julian Thompson.

In 1991, the Palerang Council established a Steering Committee to recommend a network of Greenways and to advise on general land use, fencing and any associated issues. Another role of that committee was to liaise with adjoining landowners and to advise them of the proposal. It also became evident to the steering committee that the conservation values of many sections of the Greenways were very high. This was because most proposed Greenways were Crown road reserves. As a consequence, they were protected from clearing, and where fenced,from grazing.  

This added considerable impetus to the creation of the Greenway network, as they would provide wildlife corridors that are now recognised as essential to the welfare of flora and fauna. Strong support and technical advice was received from well known local environmentalist, Geoff Butler.  

In 1994, the Palerang Council implemented a pilot Greenways project in the Bywong/Wamboin district as outlined above.