General News
24 October, 2025
BMX riders grounded temporarily
With one of the dirt jumps at Burnt Creek recently cordoned off after Horsham Rural City Council identified it as a safety risk, a bike track campaigner said he has been pleased with how the organisation plans to address the problem - a second time.
It's a complete about-face from when Jayden Simpson called for the jump park to be built more than a year ago, when he said the council had been stalling his efforts to have the bike and BMX circuit constructed.
Mr Simpson said councillors and council staff met with locals and "about 40 little tackers on the bikes" at the track after hours last week in consultation about the jumps going forward.
Earlier in the week, it was discovered that sticks and tyres were protruding from the sides and surface of one of the jumps, so the council placed a barrier around it.
Mr Simpson said the council attempted to fix the initial problem; however, this wasn't adequately completed, which means further works need to be carried out in order for the jump to be further utilised.
He said the council filled the jump, but didn't compact or shape it, meaning the dirt just fell away.
However, Mr Simpson said the council owned their mistake and had plans to fix it properly, hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
The jump, located on public land at the corner of William Road and Stockton Drive, Horsham, has long been used informally by mountain bike and BMX riders.
In July, Council began a 12-month trial to assess whether jumps at the site could be managed to maintain safety and reduce risks to riders.
Council workers regularly inspect the jumps to ensure no new jumps are created and existing jumps are maintained.
Council said the action reflects the HRCC-endorsed Management Plan for the site, with council removing any unauthorised modifications to jumps or new jumps.
“We want to ensure the best safety provisions are in place for dirt jump users,” said acting mayor Cr Brian Klowss.
“Our Management Plan has been developed to balance recreation with risk management.
"We ask community members to report any hazards or damage to the jumps via Council’s online Service Request system.”
