New Pump Track Already Pumping

Published on 19 December 2019

The new Tumut Pump Track has continued to attract crowds of children since it was officially unveiled last Friday, with numbers only set to increase over the school holidays.

With the new facility causing an increase in pedestrian, bike and scooter traffic Council has installed two temporary Variable Message Sign (VMS) boards to warn drivers to ‘look out, kids about’ over the Christmas period.

Mayor James Hayes said it was important at a time when more holiday traffic was expected on the Snowy Mountains Highway that drivers were cautioned to slow down and watch out for pedestrians.

“It might even encourage travellers to take a break in town and try out the pump track before continuing on their way,” he said.

The youth area in Fiztroy Park now includes a skate park, basketball courts, a children’s playground and the new pump track.

“It has been excellent to see such a great response to the new track and there is an ongoing vision to continue to enhance the youth precinct for future generations,” Cr Hayes said

“I would like to acknowledge the 2001 Tumut Youth Council Committee members including Kathleen Kingwell, Daniel Cutler, Matt Hayden, Ben Hawkins, Tara Oppelt, Dean Pickering, Roslyn Sheather, Renanta Zanetti, Clinton Crighton, Jasmine De Martin and Matt Dowell who had the initial vision to develop the Tumut youth recreation area,” said Cr Hayes.

Previous Committee member Ros Piper (nee Sheather) said, “To see the pump track complete is awesome; I’m sure the other committee members from 2001 are just as proud as I am seeing our idea become a reality. I now have the privilege of bringing my two young children down to enjoy this great facility”.

Mayor Hayes also congratulated Council’s project team and the Tumut parks and garden team for working hard to deliver the project ahead of schedule and in time for the school holidays.

“The parks and garden team in particular worked tirelessly to ensure the track, turf and new fence were ready for the opening,” he said.

The VMS boards have been placed approximately 100m from the track on each side of the Snowy Mountains Highway and will remain in place until 9 January 2020.

Council received grant funding through the NSW Government's Stronger Communities Round 2 to design and construct the Tumut pump track.