In May 2017 ACTEA and the local Bicentennial National Trail Coordinator discovered the existence of a three year old Tracks and Trails Plan for the Arboretum that envisaged moving the BNT route to the western boundary of the Arboretum and covering the slopes of Dairy Farmers Hill with winding tracks. This plan was completely at odds with the more recently developed map of recommended equestrian trails. Since then ACTEA, the BNT and the Arboretum have been in close conversation through three iterations of the Tracks and Trails Plan.
The Arboretum will not agree to us distributing the plan as they wish to be in control of public communication however we can say that they have agreed to minimise the impact on the BNT route, reduce the number of new crossings of the recommended equestrian routes, protect the trail through the Himalayan Cedars and wherever possible create separation of horses and the walking/cycling paths. The greatest impact will be on the allees which will now be intersected by one if not more shared paths. These will be designed for comfortable walking not downhill cycling but there will need to be design input to maintain safety at intersections.
