Helensburgh Mountain Bike Track - Helensburgh NSW

Rienco Consulting was engaged by the Helensburgh Off Road Cycle Club (HORCC) to provide a professional engineering opinion on the reasonableness of an engineering position taken by Wollongong City Council on HORCC’s DA. The DA was for the Helensburgh Community Mountain Bike Track, which is located on public land at Helensburgh.

Through the DA process, Council requested particular design standards for waterway (creek) crossings and track standards. After a detailed site inspection and consideration of the design and site constraints, we were able to form the view (supported by engineering calculations) that a lower standard for design was not only possible, but appropriate in the specific circumstances of the application.

We also noted that should Council’s nominated design standard be held, the project would likely not proceed given the exceptional quantity of funds required to build ‘bridges’ and other structures. We formed the view that these were unnecessarily onerous and would also extinguish the amenity of the track and its purpose.

We are pleased to note that Council accepted our opinion and the track is now up and running – filled with young kids and adults who are enjoying the healthy and well-built space. We are proud to offer our services gratis for the HORCC as our contribution to this fantastic community asset.