Big step forward for the Bungendore Pump Track — and what we need from you

Today brought the most significant progress the Bungendore Pump Track project has seen so far, and I wanted to share it with the community straight away.

Earlier this year, Councillor Ross MacDonald proposed that Council set aside money to scope the pump track project. That proposal was put to a recent Council meeting, where it was knocked back due to budgetary constraints. It was a disappointing but unsurprising setback, and luckily, it’s not the end of the story.

This week, Councillor Mareeta Grundy reached out to let me know she had funds available in her councillor budget that could be allocated to developing a pump track in Bungendore. Councillor Grundy wanted to explore including it in Council’s annual budget document, which will go out for community display and submissions in about a fortnight. On that basis, I met with both Councillors MacDonald and Grundy this morning to talk through the next steps.

What happens next

Both councillors will speak with the QPRC Director of Community, Arts and Recreation about what is required to progress the project, including whether a Development Application is needed and what other internal costs Council would need to plan for. They will also formally add the Bungendore Pump Track to the draft Council budget document.

This step moves the BPT from a community proposal to a line item that the whole community can support through the public submission process.

Why start with a dirt track?

Councillor Grundy suggested, and I think it makes good sense, that we build a dirt track first, with the option to retrofit it with a bitumen surface at a later stage.

A dirt pump track costs significantly less than an asphalt one. Starting with dirt gets the facility built sooner, at a cost that fits within a realistic early budget, and still delivers a fully functional and enjoyable track. Once the community is using it and a future grant or budget allocation becomes available, it can be resurfaced with bitumen for a longer-lasting, lower-maintenance result. This approach has worked well for other regional NSW communities, and it means we are not waiting years for a larger funding round before riders can access the track.

A single track that works for everyone

Research into community pump track design shows that a single well-designed track can serve the full range of riders, from young children on balance bikes to more experienced riders seeking a technical challenge.

Modern community tracks use an outer loop with internal crossover lines. The outer loop has gentler berms and lower rollers suited to beginners. The inner lines offer tighter turns and more demanding features for riders who want greater challenge. This means one track footprint can serve the whole community, encouraging skill progression and keeping riders of all abilities in the same shared space.

Based on current design benchmarks and comparable NSW council projects, a footprint of around 400 to 600 square metres represents the right scale for a Phase 1 dirt build. That is big enough to provide variety and longevity, but modest enough to remain within a responsible budget.

The site at McMahon and McCusker Drives is in the centre of town, easy to reach on foot, by bike or by car. It sits below the area currently used as an informal car park and directly beside the existing skate park, which is already well used by bike and scooter riders as well as skateboarders. This area also has public toilets, covered tables, lighting and CCTV. Looking further ahead, there is room for expansion and eventual redevelopment of the entire area, including the skate park, into a world-class wheeled sports precinct (there's always room for big dreams).

What’s coming up — and how you can get ready

In about two weeks, the Council’s draft budget for 2026-27 will go on public display for community submissions. When the submission period opens, I will publish a second article with all the details you need to make a formal submission in support of the BPT. Submissions from individuals and families are valuable, but letters of endorsement from community groups carry particular weight in Council’s assessment of local appetite for a project.

If you are part of a community group or organisation, now is a good time to start talking to your members and preparing a short letter of endorsement so you are ready to submit when the time comes. The letter does not need to be long. A few sentences from your group confirming support for the Bungendore Pump Track and what it would mean to your members and the wider community is all that is needed.

We especially encourage groups that work with young people or support youth in the Bungendore region to get involved, including:

• School P&Cs — Bungendore Public School and Bungendore High School

• Youth sporting clubs — football, netball, cricket, soccer, cycling, and any other clubs with junior members

• Scouts, and other youth groups

• Lions Club and Leo Club (the Lions youth branch)

• Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact

• Church youth groups

• The CWA and other community organisations with an interest in supporting local young people

• Any other group that sees value in a safe, active recreation space for Bungendore youth and families

This is not an exhaustive list. If your group has a stake in healthy, active communities and the well-being of local young people, your voice matters.

In the meantime, please share this article on your local Facebook groups and leave a comment here or on the Facebook post. Every sign of community support strengthens the case.

What comes next

Keep an eye out for the next article in about two weeks, when the Council budget goes on public display. That will be the moment to submit, and I will make it as easy as possible.

Thank you to Councillors Grundy and MacDonald for the work they are doing to move this forward, and to everyone who has supported the Bungendore Pump Track since the very beginning. This is a community project, and community support is what will get it built.

Geneviève Hopkins Bungendore Pump Track

The Bungendore Pump Track Working Group held its first meeting last week, with four community members in attendance and interest from several others who were unable to make it. The group is now in the investigation phase, exploring how best to bring this community project to life.

At this stage, we are keen to connect with anyone who has experience in:

• Physically creating recreation facilities, particularly pump tracks

• Planning and designing pump tracks or similar community infrastructure

• Landscaping and environmental design, especially flood mitigation, rain gardens, and habitat planning for shared human and wildlife use (including safe design considerations for snakes)

• Local community groups such as Lions, Rotary, CWA, or others who may wish to include the pump track within their existing projects of work, so that we can progress under an established organisational structure rather than forming a new legal entity.

After the meeting, Rachael Tohi, a teacher at Bungendore High School, contacted us to share some exciting news. She has enthusiastically taken the lead in engaging students with the project. Under Rachael’s guidance, a student group is launching a Pump Track Design Competition that will invite entries addressing:

• Flood mitigation and water-sensitive landscape design

• Separate areas for beginner and technical riders

• Selection and justification of appropriate surface materials

• Landscaping using local native plants, with specific attention to snake safety, given the proximity to Turallo Creek, where tiger snakes are known to inhabit.

The organising students plan to release their competition poster by the end of this week, with entries closing in Week 5.

Rachael also shared that Bungendore High School is in the process of forming a mountain biking team, which will make mountain biking an official school sport. The program will include community service elements such as trail maintenance at Kowen Forest and Sparrow Hill, and students will use the future Bungendore Pump Track for skill development and practice.

This is an exciting step forward for the project, showing how the community, schools, and local organisations can work together to create something meaningful and lasting for Bungendore.

If you have relevant experience or represent a community group interested in being involved, please get in touch. Your input will help make the Bungendore Pump Track a reality.

Concerns about youth crime, vandalism, and anti-social behaviour are common in many towns. It is natural to ask whether building new facilities, such as a pump track, might increase these risks. However, evidence from psychology, criminology, and community development shows the opposite. When young people are given safe, accessible, and well-designed spaces, and when they are actively involved in shaping those spaces, communities often see reductions in negative behaviour and stronger community connections.

This article draws on research and examples from across Australia and NSW to explain why facilities matter, how they can reduce youth crime, and what this means for Bungendore.

Why Recreational Facilities Matter

Positive Outlets for Energy and Development

Young people need constructive ways to spend time, build skills, and socialise. Without safe outlets, recreation can spill over into unsafe or unsuitable areas such as roads, car parks, or neglected spaces. Recreational facilities provide a structured environment that channels energy into positive activities.

Psychology research highlights that sport and physical activity are linked to better self-control, reduced stress, and stronger social skills. When youth are engaged in sport or recreation, they are less likely to engage in risk-taking behaviour.

Crime Prevention Through Recreation

The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) has found that sport and recreation programs can reduce crime when they are well planned and inclusive. Success depends on accessibility, youth input, and support from the wider community. By giving young people a sense of belonging, these programs address some of the root causes of offending, such as boredom, exclusion, and lack of opportunity.

The Importance of Youth Buy-In

Facilities are most successful when young people help design and shape them. This sense of ownership fosters pride and responsibility, which reduces vandalism and misuse. Involving schools and community groups also creates educational opportunities, building skills and reinforcing positive connections.

Evidence and Examples

Broader Research

• Australian Institute of Criminology reports show that sport and physical activity programs reduce anti-social behaviour when youth are consistently engaged and activities are appropriate.

• Griffith University (2024) reviewed long-term studies on youth crime and found that early access to structured, positive environments reduces the likelihood of serious offending later in life. While the focus was on family and school programs, the principle applies directly to recreation facilities: giving young people safe, constructive outlets early helps prevent the boredom and disengagement that can lead to vandalism or crime.

• Studies on skate parks show they are often misjudged. Observational research has found they are more often sites of socialising, mentoring, and cooperative behaviour than conflict.

• US Police Study on Skateparks found that many law enforcement officers considered skate parks an asset to their communities, with some towns reporting decreases in youth crime after the parks were built. This supports the view that well-designed, visible recreational facilities contribute to safer communities.

NSW and Regional Case Studies

• BackTrack (Armidale, NSW): A community-based program for at-risk youth that combined skills training, mentoring, and recreation. BackTrack operates working farms and uses facilities such as dog training yards, sheds, and outdoor workspaces to engage young people in hands-on activities. These recreational and practical facilities give participants a structured place to learn teamwork, responsibility, and physical skills. It demonstrates how providing safe, purposeful spaces tied to recreation and skill-building can dramatically reduce youth crime. Over seven years, juvenile crime rates in Armidale were halved.

• Trundle Skate Park (Parkes Shire, NSW): Completed in 2023 after strong community consultation, with school-aged children directly contributing to design. School-aged children and residents were directly involved in choosing design features, which created a sense of ownership and pride. It shows how consultation with young people during planning can reduce the risk of vandalism and ensure the facility meets local needs, strengthening the connection between recreation spaces and positive youth behaviour.

• Central Coast Council Skate Park Strategy (NSW): A strategy covering more than 26 skate parks across the Central Coast. Council carried out audits and planning to ensure skate parks are well designed, located in visible areas, and supported by community consultation. It highlights how thoughtful design and oversight can reduce vandalism and misuse, while ensuring facilities meet demand and are valued by the community.

• Bayside Council Graffiti and Youth Engagement Program (NSW): A project where local youth were engaged to design and paint murals around a skate park. By turning graffiti into sanctioned community art, the program reduced vandalism and gave young people a sense of pride and ownership. It shows how involving youth directly in creative projects linked to recreational facilities can prevent damage and foster respect for community spaces.

• Lismore Youth Precinct (NSW): A new precinct currently being developed in the Lismore CBD that integrates a skate park, event space, and youth facilities. The project has involved strong consultation with young people to ensure the design reflects their needs and interests. It demonstrates how co-design with youth can create facilities that are well used, respected, and beneficial both for recreation and for broader community outcomes such as tourism and local pride.

What This Means for Bungendore

The Bungendore Pump Track is positioned to follow these lessons. Located next to the skate park, basketball court, and community amenities, it benefits from visibility, lighting, and natural community oversight. By involving local schools in the design of beginner and technical pump tracks, Bungendore can strengthen youth buy-in, link the project to education, and reduce the risk of misuse.

Facilities alone cannot solve every challenge, but evidence shows they are an essential part of the picture. When combined with community involvement, youth participation, and good design, they can help prevent crime, reduce vandalism, and build stronger, healthier communities.

Conclusion

The evidence is clear: providing young people with safe, inclusive, and well-designed spaces reduces anti-social behaviour and fosters community pride. Case studies from across NSW and beyond show that when youth are actively involved, facilities are better respected, better used, and more beneficial for everyone.

The Bungendore Pump Track will not only give young people a safe place to ride but will also contribute to a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.

Research Sources and Key Findings

The research sources included here were chosen for their credibility, relevance, and balance of perspectives. They represent peer-reviewed studies, reports from the Australian Institute of Criminology, government strategies, and respected university research. Together they show how recreation, youth engagement, and facility design contribute to reducing anti-social behaviour and supporting community safety.

International evidence, such as the Police Study on skateparks, is included to highlight consistent findings across different contexts. These sources provide a strong evidence base for understanding how facilities like pump tracks can be part of effective youth crime prevention.

• Crime Prevention Through Sport and Physical Activity, Australian Institute of Criminology (2000) - Sport and physical activity programs reduce crime when accessible, inclusive, and community-supported.

• Sport, Physical Activity and Antisocial Behaviour in Youth, Australian Institute of Criminology (2003) - Sport and physical activity programs for at-risk youth show positive outcomes when consistently delivered.

• Youth Crime Prevention Review, Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse (2003) - Recreation and sport are effective interventions when combined with education and mentoring.

• Proven Pathways to Preventing Youth Crime, Griffith University (2024) – Early access to structured, positive environments reduces the likelihood of serious offending later in life.

• Skate Parks Research, Griffith University and University of Western Australia (2016) - Skate parks provide pro-social environments, supporting mentoring, socialising, and cooperation more than conflict.

• Public Skate Park Development Guide: Police Study, Tony Hawk Foundation (2009) - Law enforcement officers in US towns reported skate parks as assets and noted decreases in youth crime. Placing skateparks next to other recreational activities has kept the park more visible and accessible.

NSW and Regional Case Studies

The NSW and regional case studies were chosen to provide practical, real-world examples that demonstrate how community facilities and youth engagement strategies work in towns and councils across the state. They highlight projects in both metropolitan and regional contexts, showing how well-designed spaces, consultation with young people, and creative engagement approaches can reduce vandalism and build stronger community connections. These examples help ground the broader research in experiences that are directly relevant to communities like Bungendore.

• BackTrack (Armidale, NSW)

  • Program for at-risk youth combining skills, mentoring, and recreation.

  • Halved juvenile crime in Armidale over seven years.

  • Demonstrates how providing safe, purposeful spaces tied to recreation and skill-building can dramatically reduce youth crime.

• Trundle Skate Park (Parkes Shire, NSW)

  • Skate park built in 2023 after community consultation.

  • School-aged children contributed design ideas, fostering ownership.

  • Shows how consultation with young people during planning can reduce the risk of vandalism and ensure the facility meets local needs, strengthening the connection between recreation spaces and positive youth behaviour.

• Central Coast Council Skate Park Strategy PDF (Central Coast, NSW)

  • Strategy covering 26 skate parks in Central Coast LGA.

  • Highlights how thoughtful design and oversight can reduce vandalism and misuse, while ensuring facilities meet demand and are valued by the community.

• Bayside Council Youth Graffiti Program (Bayside, NSW)

  • Mural art project around skate park involving local youth.

  • Reduced vandalism by turning graffiti into community-led art.

  • Shows how involving youth directly in creative projects linked to recreational facilities can prevent damage and foster respect for community spaces.

• Lismore Youth Precinct

  • New skate and youth precinct in Lismore CBD.

  • Strong youth consultation, designed for recreation and tourism benefits.

  • Demonstrates how co-design with youth can create facilities that are well used, respected, and beneficial both for recreation and for broader community outcomes such as tourism and local pride.

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This proposal outlines the case for establishing a pump track in Bungendore to meet the growing demand for safe, accessible, and inclusive recreational cycling facilities. Currently, Bungendore residents, particularly young people, must travel 30–45 minutes to access the nearest pump tracks, creating a barrier to participation. Following positive responses to an initial expression of interest on community Facebook noticeboards and discussions with Councillor Ross MacDonald and the QPRC Community and Recreation Manager, a preferred site has been identified adjacent to the Bungendore skate park, at the corner of McMahon and McCusker Drives.

This site offers significant advantages: it is highly accessible, close to amenities such as toilets, shaded seating, BBQ facilities, lighting, paths, and CCTV, and is co-located with the skate park and a half basketball court. It also provides potential for the co-development of a car park and future expansion into a jump track. The pump track would provide substantial community, health, and tourism benefits, supporting the Council’s objectives for recreation, youth engagement, and active transport.

There is also potential for meaningful school involvement, with local primary and high schools contributing to the design and development of the beginner and technical pump tracks. This involvement can be linked to curriculum outcomes in areas such as design, technology, physical education, and community studies.

Background and Current Context

Bungendore does not currently have a dedicated pump track or jump track. The nearest comparable facilities are located in:

• Jerrabomberra (30 minutes by car)

• Googong (32 minutes by car)

• Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra (45 minutes by car)

• Majura Pines (36 minutes by car)

These distances make regular use difficult for local children and families, particularly for those without private transport or bike racks. As a result, many young riders lack access to safe, purpose-built facilities within their own community.

What is a Pump Track?

A pump track is a looped circuit of rollers, berms, and jumps designed to be ridden using momentum rather than pedalling. Tracks can be built from dirt or asphalt and cater to a wide range of ages, skill levels, and types of bicycles, scooters, and skateboards.

Well-designed pump tracks are:

• Inclusive – suitable for beginners as well as advanced riders.

• Durable – low-maintenance, particularly when surfaced with asphalt.

• Versatile – suitable for informal recreation, structured programs (e.g. learn-to-ride courses), and community events.

Why Pump Tracks are Important for Skill Development

Pump tracks provide more than just recreation; they are proven tools for developing essential riding skills in a safe and controlled environment. Riders of all ages and abilities can benefit from:

• Bike handling and control – navigating rollers, berms, and jumps helps riders learn balance, steering, and body positioning.

• Confidence building – progressive features allow beginners to start small and gradually build up to more advanced manoeuvres.

• Physical fitness – riding without pedalling develops core strength, coordination, and cardiovascular health.

• Progression pathway – pump tracks offer a stepping stone between casual riding and more advanced cycling disciplines such as mountain biking, BMX, and road cycling.

• Accessibility to multiple sports – tracks can be used by bicycles, scooters, and skateboards, giving more children and young people a chance to develop active transport skills.

• Safe alternative to roads – providing a dedicated space reduces the risks associated with children practising skills on local streets or carparks.

Proposed Site: Adjacent to Skate Park

The preferred location for the Bungendore Pump Track is a large, accessible area next to the existing skate park, half basketball court, and toilet block. The site offers the following benefits:

• Proximity to Bungendore town centre and other town recreation facilities

• Close to toilets, BBQ, shaded table, lighting, paths, and CCTV.

• Potential for co-development of a car park at the higher end (corner of McMahon and McCusker Drives).

• Large enough to support both a beginner’s pump track and a more advanced technical pump track, with potential future expansion into a jump track.

• Opportunities for school involvement: the primary school could contribute to the beginner’s pump track, while the high school could be involved in the technical pump track. These contributions could be tied to learning outcomes within the education curriculum, such as design, physical education, and community studies.

Proposed Pump Track Site – Satellite View

Map Legend:

• P = Proposed Car Park

• Top Yellow Area – Beginner pump track

• Middle Yellow Area – Technical pump track

• Bottom Yellow Area – Potential jump track expansion

• Green Area – Potential habitat landscaping

Flood Hazard Map – 1 in 100-Year Flood

The proposed Bungendore Pump Track site is located within the Turallo Creek floodplain with a high risk of flooding in the event of a 1 in 100-year flood.

Proposed Site Images

The above images provide visual context of the proposed site and its surroundings. From McMahon Drive, facilities such as the toilet block, CCTV cameras, light posts, and shaded BBQ area can be clearly seen. Views from the car park highlight the open area facing south, while a series of images show the potential locations for the beginner’s and technical pump tracks. These include perspectives from the car park overlooking the open area, westward views capturing the site with the skate park and amenities in the background, and north-facing views from the southern end showing the full scale of the available land.

• 1^st Line – Photos from McMahon Drive edge looking south with facilities visible such as toilet block, CCTV cameras, light posts, and shaded BBQ area

• 2^nd Line – From car park looking south, overlooking open area facing south

• 3^rd Line – Photo 1 from car park overlooking open area and potential beginner’s pump track. Photo 2 facing west and showing site for beginner’s and technical pump tracks with skate park and amenities in the background. Photo 3 facing north from the south end showing large area available for pump tracts with skate park and amenities in the background.

Alternative Sites Considered

Sports Hub – identified as impractical by QPRC Community and Recreation Manager due to multiple projects underway and the area being less accessible and further from town.

Elmslea Ponds – while zoned for recreation, this site lacked amenities, spanned two land parcels (potentially requiring an expensive DA to combine), and did not offer the same advantages as the skate park site.

Benefits to the Community

The development of a pump track in Bungendore would deliver:

• Youth engagement – providing a safe, healthy, and accessible space for young people.

• Tourism and visitation – attracting riders and families from surrounding towns.

• Health and wellbeing – encouraging physical activity for all ages.

• Local employment and skills development – potential for programs such as learn-to-ride courses or coaching.

• Community connection – a venue for social interaction, events, and active lifestyles.

• Educational opportunities – partnerships with local schools that can contribute to the design and development of beginner and technical pump tracks. These partnerships could be linked to school learning outcomes in areas such as design, technology, physical education, and community studies.

Community and Stakeholder Support

There is clear and growing community interest in establishing a pump track in Bungendore. Local families, young people, and community groups have expressed strong support for the idea, including positive responses to an initial expression of interest shared on community Facebook noticeboards. Councillors have also indicated support, with Councillor Ross MacDonald meeting with community members Laura Beer and Geneviève Hopkins on 19 February to provide in-principle support for the concept.

At this meeting, Councillor MacDonald connected the group with the QPRC Community and Recreation Manager, with whom discussions have continued since March. In more recent meetings, the Council’s Community and Recreation Manager confirmed that areas around Elmslea Ponds were owned by Council and zoned for recreation, but ultimately suggested the skate park site as the most practical and accessible option.

Considerations

• Maintenance and Security – regular upkeep will be required, though asphalt reduces long-term maintenance. Security measures such as improving lighting and installing CCTV should be considered to deter vandalism and support safe usage hours.

• Environmental Factors – flood risk can be addressed through appropriate drainage and landscaping design. Recreation grounds are often an effective use of floodplain areas, as they provide open, flexible spaces that can tolerate occasional inundation without significant damage to infrastructure. This makes them a practical and resilient option for land that is otherwise unsuitable for housing or permanent buildings.

• Wildlife – snakes (particularly tiger snakes) are present in Bungendore and can be a concern in recreation areas. Risks can be minimised through careful habitat management, landscaping, and design that reduces attractive hiding places.

• Accessibility – the site is accessible by bike, foot, and car, with footpaths and kerb ramps ensuring inclusivity for people with mobility challenges.

Infrastructure Requirements

To deliver the project, works will include:

• Earthworks to shape the track.

• Importation and compaction of soil.

• Asphalt surfacing for durability and reduced maintenance.

• Landscaping and drainage works to manage stormwater.

• Lighting and security installation.

Additional Information

Indicative Costs

While detailed design and costing are still required, industry examples suggest that smaller dirt-based pump tracks may be delivered for $150,000–$250,000, while larger asphalt-surfaced tracks may cost $500,000 or more. Landscaping, drainage, and lighting would be additional.

Funding Opportunities

Potential sources include NSW Government sports and recreation grants, Federal Government community infrastructure programs, and philanthropic grants aimed at youth health and wellbeing.

Governance and Maintenance

It is proposed that ownership rests with QPRC as part of its community recreation portfolio, with a local community group assisting in stewardship and maintenance planning.

Indicative Timeline

• Community engagement and consultation: 6–9 months

• Design and costing: 3 months

• Funding applications and approvals: 6–12 months

• Construction: 6–9 months (subject to funding and approvals)

Next Steps

To progress the Bungendore Pump Track project, the following actions are recommended:

1. Form a Community Group – establish a committee of local residents, young people, and community members to guide development.

2. Gauge Community Support – conduct surveys and community consultation sessions to confirm local interest and gather input on design preferences.

3. Stakeholder Engagement – engage with schools, sporting groups, local businesses, and community organisations; collaborate with QPRC officers and Councillors. This should include exploring opportunities for direct involvement by local schools in the design and development of beginner and technical pump tracks. School participation could also be aligned with curriculum outcomes in areas such as design, technology, physical education, and community studies.

4. Funding and Grants – identify and apply for relevant state, federal, and philanthropic grant opportunities.

5. Design and Costing – obtain a professional design quote and a ballpark estimate for construction and landscaping.

6. Maintenance Proposal – develop a plan for ongoing maintenance and security in partnership with Council and the community group.

Conclusion

The creation of a pump track adjacent to the Bungendore skate park would address a clear gap in the town’s recreational infrastructure. It would provide a safe, accessible, and inclusive facility for local youth, families, and visitors, while complementing existing community assets. The skate park site offers the best balance of accessibility, amenities, and future potential, and has the support of QPRC officers.

An additional strength of the project is the opportunity for local schools to be directly involved, giving young people a role in shaping and taking pride in new community infrastructure. This involvement can also be tied to curriculum outcomes in areas such as design, technology, physical education, and community studies, creating meaningful educational links.

At this stage, the key requirement is for Council to continue supporting the proposal while community engagement, funding applications, and design and costing processes are undertaken.

The Bungendore Pump Track is a project by and for the community. Your feedback and support are welcome as we bring this new facility to life. Subscribe to receive updates as the project progresses, and join in the discussion.

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