The ACT government will bring in a paid parking model at Stromlo Forest Park, with revenue raised promised for maintenance and construction of new trails.
Parking fees will be introduced upon completion of the new car park at the base of the mountain bike trails, which is scheduled for the end of the year. Construction is set to begin in May.
Users can park for free for 15 minutes, will pay $1.75 for up to three hours, $2.75 for three to six hours and $3.90 for more than six hours. An annual pass is expected to set frequent users back $87.
The model mirrors the paid parking system at the Arboretum, whereby fees are directed back into infrastructure and improving the visitor experience.
The ACT government has forecast annual revenue generation of $238,000 from the car park. It expects to increase car spaces by close to 200 spots, including 16 disability spaces.
Planned asphalting of the gravel car park has previously been criticised by user groups, who've claimed money spent on its upgrade would be better invested in new trails. The design has also come under fire for reducing access to the trail head.
The ACT government has also committed to begin work on a five-year Stromlo Forest Park Trails Masterplan, following a warning from users the ACT risks falling behind as a mountain biking destination.
The masterplan will review existing trails and plan for new trails for all sports groups, as well as the general public.
City Services Minister Chris Steel said the introduction of modest parking fees at Stromlo would see direct investment into the park's tracks and trails to ensure it remained a premier sporting facility.
Mr Steel said the existing car park was inefficient and unsafe from a work, health and safety perspective.
"We can't get the most out of the existing car parks," he said. "They're also becoming rutted over time with rainfall and flooding."
He said the new car parking arrangement would enable the government to establish a space for a future village green which would be a staging point for major events.
The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to constructing a long awaited flow trail from Stromlo to the Cotter this term.
Mr Steel said the criterium track extension was due for completion this week, which would give non-car users a safer way to access the park. He said the new connection to the pool would enable triathletes to seamlessly complete running, swimming and riding competitions.
Stephen Hodge, We Ride Australia Director, said use of Stromlo had exploded, with up to 560,000 people coming in each year.
"I think all of the users will be really happy that we're finding a way, a very sensible way, to generate income," Mr Hodge said.
"All of this will go back into our park, our facilities, our trails - great news."
Matt Battye, Canberra Off Road Cyclist President, said Stromlo had grown in its user base quite substantially, particularly through the COVID era, and there just weren't the resources to continue to cope with that growth.
"It's appropriate that those who get the most value from the park should be at least contributing in some way.
"It's just a completely different sport to what it was even three or four years ago. We really need those resources to make sure that we can continue, to not only make sure Stromlo is the number one mountain bike park in Australia, but continues to be that way into the future."
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