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Design process / history
The project is part of a range of measures initiated by Fairfield City Council to support the growth of cycling in the local area. Part of the rationale for the project was that the Fairfield Local Government Area was identified to be performing poorly on physical activity and health indicators. Some of the factors attributed to this relatively low level of healthy activity were poor access to public transport services and low socio economic status.
Recognising the link between the built environment and health, Fairfield City Council had already built 120km of off road cycle routes by 2006. The bicycle recycling project was initiated by Council to increase community use and ownership of this infrastructure, creating the social networks that would make the most of these built environment achievements.
In 2006 a business case was presented to Council, outlining plans for the scheme. From the outset, the aim was to establish a sustainable model for the delivery of the project, including a management structure that was linked to an active community cycling club. In September 2006, Council issued a call for volunteers to establish such a club, which would include the ‘bicycle recycling’ program.
In 2007, using building materials recycled from a previous demolition, Council constructed a purpose-built facility – ‘the WSCN Clubhouse’ – to house the project. The clubhouse includes storage for used and donated community bicycles, a bike repair and maintenance workshop and a space for meetings of club members. A trailer enables the WSCN to pick up and deliver bicycles around the community.
The original plan for the scheme included a partnership with the Fairfield Community Resource Centre to deliver Federal Government funding for the project as a ‘Work for the Dole’ scheme. This gave the project an establishment team in the form of a group of ‘Work for the Dole’ participants, who carried out a number of the initial tasks, including helping to fit out the facility. This partnership was completed in 2007 and WSCN is now a largely self-managed community organisation.
Project development process undertaken by Council
- Internet search and research of similar projects nationally and worldwide.
- Councillor visit to New Zealand to see examples of public bicycle projects in Palmerston North and Hamilton.
- Contact with stakeholders within NSW and Australia to seek professional advice and support (e.g. Cycling Promotion Fund).
- Prepare business case detailing project aims, objectives, deliverables, timeframes and outcomes.
- Advertise in local newspapers – a ‘call to action’ for the local community to assist in the establishment of a group to promote cycling, recycle used bicycles and educate the community about local cycling opportunities.
- Create voluntary working party to develop the project.
- Approach (former) Federal Department of Employment, Education and Training (now the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations) to establish a "Bike for the Dole" project to assist with project establishment.
- Gain Council approval of Action Plan prior to project commencement.
Opening
The clubhouse officially opened for business on Thursday 24 May 2007. The launch was well attended, and attracted a high level of media interest (including coverage by all five television stations) and community support from many stakeholders.
At the launch of the project the Mayor presented the clubhouse keys to the president of the WSCN. All WSCN activities, including the bicycle recycling project are now run by the club on this site.