The City of Hobart is planning a new connection for riders between Waterworks Reserve and the Pipeline Track, opening a more accessible off-road connection between Hobart and kunanyi/Mt Wellington.
To access the Pipeline Track riders must now dismount and walk up the very steep Annie Falls section or take another steep option via McDermotts Fire Trail, which links to the Pipeline closer to Chimney Pot Hill.
The proposed shared track connection between site 9 at the reserve and the Pipeline Head Wall would have reduced inclines and allow riders to comfortably stay on their bikes.
The new route would also be a link to the proposed Halls Saddle visitors hub in Ridgeway. The Halls Saddle hub aims to disperse riders, walkers and tourists across more of Wellington Park and surrounding reserves to ease pressure on The Springs and kunanyi/Mt Wellington Pinnacle.
News of the proposed track connection was in the draft Waterworks Reserve Master Plan, which has been released for public comment.
As well as the Pipeline connection, the plan proposes new shared use trails around the reservoirs:
- Investigation into a short shared use trail linking Waterworks Road to Romily Street.
- An entry-level or beginners shared use trail around the Upper Reservoir.
- A shared use trail alongside the access road from the reserve’s entrance to site 9.
- A shared use trail linking to the Ridgeway Road carpark.
A bicycle wash-down station is also recommended (but no location is listed), as is a reduced vehicle speed limit of 20km/h.
Hobart Councillor Ryan Posselt expressed concern on Facebook and at the 24 April council meeting about converting the walking tracks on the Huon Road side of the reservoirs to shared use.
He has suggested keeping those as walking only or making them shared use for parents and young children so that fast riders don’t use them.
To read the masterplan and see the maps for planned routes, visit the Hobart YourSay website: https://yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/waterworks-reserve
Comments must be made before 9 July.