Trail bikers and horse riders will be physically blocked from accessing Kyneton’s Bald Hill Reserve after trespassing has led to repeated damage at the reserve.
In coming weeks, bollards and fencing will be installed at the reserve by the council to restrict access to walkers and management vehicles.
Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said signs stating trail bikes and horses were banned, which had been at the reserve since early 2016, were not working.
“Unfortunately, these have been ignored, resulting in repeated damage to the reserve,” she said.
The reserve is considered ecologically, geologically and culturally significant and is home to threatened species, including the brush-tailed phascogale, powerful owl, brown toadlet and tussock skink. The endangered matted flax-lily and vulnerable clover glycine also grow in the reserve.
Cr Anderson said trail bikes and horse riding had damaged habitats and spread weeds.
She said they also had a negative impact on what the council envisioned for the reserve in its environmental management plan.
“Species such as the brown toadlet and tussock skink are particularly vulnerable to being impacted by these activities as they live in small cracks and burrows.”
Cr Anderson said there were many other locations in the region where riders could take their horses or trail bikes without damaging an important conservation area.
Trail bike riding and horse riding are allowed in Cobaw State Forest and Wombat State Forest.
Trail bike riding is also permitted in Macedon Regional Park.
