GENERAL WARNING & EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY

  • Sporting and recreation activities at The Dungog Common Recreation Reserve may be dangerous and may result in injury or death to the person &/or property loss or damage.

  • Users participating and spectators viewing these activities do so at their own risk.

  • The land managers recommend that all visitors to the Dungog Common carry a mobile phone with the EMERGENCY+ app enabled so that you can quickly notify emergency services and give them your exact location in the event of an accident.

 

Emergency: 000

Land Manager: 0429 816 628

Mountain Biking

  • Mountain biking is a hazardous sport; all users must wear a helmet (Australian Standard Certified) at all times. It is recommended that riders also use appropriate equipment including; gloves, enclosed footwear, and covered clothing and ride a suitable, well-maintained bike.

  • All users must wear a certified helmet (Australian Standard Certified) at all times.

  • Use appropriate riding equipment including: gloves, enclosed footwear and covered clothing.

  • Leave an appropriate distance between yourself and other riders.

  • Obey all signage.

  • Courtesy is the best safety on the trail. Remember that your behaviour is a reflection on the MTB community as a whole.

  • Other trail users may not be familiar with the MTB trails. Talk to them about their use, directions and safety.

  • Minimise your impact by staying on the MTB trails.

  • Equestrians have the right of way over other users on all trails. This is an international standard. Walkers have next priority and then cyclists.

  • Pass other trail users with care and travel in single file on busy trails.

  • Downhill trail trails are one-way only.

  • Slow down at intersections where you are likely to meet MTB and equestrian trail intersections and watch for other users.

  • Ride your MTB at a controlled speed, especially approaching blind corners.

  • Keep to the right when passing other users.

  • Trail use may be restricted for safety reasons at various times or for special events.

  • Cyclists should yield to horses by stopping and asking permission of the horse rider to pass.

  • Cyclists must allow horse riders time to position their horses for safety.

  • Cyclists should not ring bells as they may startle a horse – voice contact is preferable. A frightened horse is a danger to you, the horse rider and other Common users.

  • It is advisable not to pass within a metre of a horse as they may kick if startled and have considerable reach

  • Carry a mobile phone, especially if you are riding on your own. Know who to call in an emergency, either 000 or a friend.

  • Report problems with trail conditions to the Dungog Common Land Manager on 0438 922 091

  • Load the Emergency Plus app on your phone so you can give GPS coordinates to the emergency services if you need them

    Horse Riding

The following conditions of use apply to the Equestrian trails at all times:

  • Observe and follow all signage on the trails.

  • Always wear an Australian Standard Certified helmet.

  • Equestrians are not permitted to ride on the Flow Tracks (purpose-built mountain bike trails) as it damages the track surface. Other fire trails are open to both equestrians and cyclists.

  • Share the trail with other permitted users. Equestrians have the right of way over all other users, this is an international standard, walkers have next priority and then cyclists.

  • Remember that your behaviour is a reflection of the horse community as a whole.

  • Travel in single file on busy trails and pass other trail users on the right with care.

  • Politely encourage cyclists and runners to slow down or stop before passing or overtaking and thank them for doing so.

  • Yield to faster horse riders.

  • Ride your horse at a controlled speed and watch for cyclists, especially approaching blind corners or intersections where you are likely to meet MTB trails.

  • Tie a red ribbon to the tail of any horse that may kick.

  • Other trail users may not be familiar with horses and their reactions. Talk to them wherever possible.

  • Plan your ride; know the distance and approximate ride time of the trail you intend to ride.

  • Carry appropriate food and water.

  • When parking your float leave room for others to park and unload safely.

  • Do not clean out your horse float in the car park.

  • Trail use may be restricted for safety reasons at various times or for special events or adverse weather condition.

  • Organisers of a planned event may change user procedures at their discretion and must advise all users of these changes prior to their participation.

  • Carry a mobile phone, especially if you are riding on your own. Know who to call in an emergency, either 000 or a friend.

  • Load the Emergency Plus app on your phone so you can give GPS coordinates to the emergency services if you need them

Trail Running

  • Always run in an anti-clockwise direction, unless otherwise directed.

  • Organisers of a planned event may change this procedure at their discretion and must advise all users prior to their participation.

  • To minimise wear on the grass, run on the outside of the circuit (especially on corners) when possible.

  • Vehicles are NOT permitted on the circuit (Maintenance vehicles excepted).

  • Bikes or wheeled equipment are NOT permitted on the circuit.

  • Dogs are NOT permitted on the circuit.

  • Circuit use may be restricted for safety reasons at various times for special events.

  • Spectators must stay off the circuit at all times and only cross with extreme care.

  • Ball sports, including golf, are NOT permitted on the circuit.

  • Be conscious and considerate to faster runners.

  • Slower runners and walkers should not run or walk in large groups and should be careful not to obstruct faster runners.

  • People using this facility do so at their own risk.

  • The circuit will be closed at times for maintenance purposes.

Recreational

Read and be aware of the conditions of use for the various sections of the park.

  • Keep the BBQ and picnic areas clean. Leave it as you found it.

  • ALL rubbish must be taken with you when you leave.

  • All pets need to be kept on a lead and under control when around horses.

  • This is a non-motorised activities reserve

  • When crossing trails be aware of bikes travelling at high speeds.

  • All fauna and flora should be left unharmed.

  • Be aware of poisonous snakes.

  • No open fires are permitted in the Dungog Common Recreation Reserve

Dungog Common E-bike Policy

  • The use of E-bikes or power-assisted pedal cycles (Pedalec) which are vehicles complying with the requirements of European Standard EN 15194: 2009 or EN 15194:2009+A1:2009: ‘Cycles – Electrically power assisted cycles – EPAC Bicycles’ are permitted within The Dungog Common.

  • To comply with EN 15194:

    • The motor must be electric

    • The maximum continuous power output of the motor cannot exceed 250 watts measured at the wheel Note: A motor that delivers 250 watts of continuous power can produce greater power for very short periods of time, which can be beneficial when pulling away at traffic lights or starting a hill climb.

    • The rider must pedal the cycle to activate the motor*

    • The motor must cut-off once the vehicle reaches 25 km/h, or sooner if the rider stops pedalling

    • The vehicle must be certified by the manufacturer, and labelled as complying with EN 15194. The label must include the manufacturer’s name, the motor’s cut-off speed in km/h and its continuous rated power in watts.

  • E-bikes or Pedalecs must only be used on the Dungog Common mountain bike trail network