Save Black Duck Valley

12 December 2008

The Honourable Judy Spence
Minister
Department of Sport and Recreation
South East Queensland Trail Bike and Off Road Vehicle Program
PO Box 275
IPSWICH QLD 4305

Mr Lindsay Granger
Motorcycling Queensland
PO Box 2072
NORTH IPSWICH QLD 4305

RE: Black Duck Valley 4x4 and Motorbike Park

We the undersigned wish to express our deep concern that Black Duck Valley 4x4 and Motorbike Park is unable to have their insurance renewed.
We need assistance from the state government to keep Black Duck Valley open.

If Black Duck Valley closes then the hundreds of motocross riders, adults and children, who use this facility each week will have no controlled environment in which to ride. These people will be forced to return to the state forestry, bushland reserves in populated areas.

Meanwhile, the community is begging for a solution to the noise pollution and hooning of dirtbike riders in vacant bushland and in the streets. We strongly suggest that Black Duck Valley be used to separate the offensive activities from the residential areas and provide people in South East Queensland with a safe alternative to public streets and bushland reserves. Currently, they have no option.

While the Tivoli Motocross Track services the western suburbs, it only caters to riders who wish to race. It is not keeping up with demand. More critically, it does not provide the same services to the riding community that Black Duck Valley does. It cannot cater for the same number of riders as Black Duck Valley, as it is only one track, and Black Duck Valley has many tracks for all levels of skill and differing age groups.

Queensland population, particularly in the south-east, has grown exponentially, sales of motocross bikes has also increased, but we have fewer facilities now, then we did a few years ago. Wheelstanders MXC closed, Nundah flat track closed, Tivoli is closing within the next 12-18 months, due to the not-in-my-backyard mentality that has stone-walled entrepreneurs from obtaining suitable zoning to develop privately funded motocross facilities. Is it any wonder we have this problem?

In closing, we are requesting your support to keep Black Duck Valley Park open. We would be grateful if you could immediately contact the owners of Black Duck Valley and other relevant Government authorities with a view to working to re-open Black Duck Valley as a sports and recreational facility for motocross riders.

We eagerly await your response.