Within hours of the Merimbula News Weekly posting the original story to Facebook more than 60 people came to the children’s defence saying that their work is far more beneficial to the community than it is harmful.

The building of the impressive track has brought together many children from multiple schools ranging in age from as young as three years old up to sixteen years old.

“Looking at their constructions it is an educator's dream, it’s STEM in action,” Sharon Walker, a mother to one of the children, said.

“They have managed to engineer elaborate jumps and tracks for their own entertainment. They get just as much satisfaction from the process of construction than from riding around it.”

More than a dozen children involved in the building of the tracks gathered on Monday afternoon to speak openly about what their jumps mean to them. 

Twelve-year-old Kai Holt said he wished people wouldn’t say what they were doing was dangerous. 

“It’s been really fun to build our own stuff. We come before and after school and get to work of them and then we get to hit our own jumps. It’s just as much fun building as it is riding,” Kai said. 

“And it’s not that dangerous, we all wear helmets and we are close to home if something goes wrong we can get to our parents quickly, but nothing has happened.”

Fourteen-year-old Tom Kellar said he would be really disappointed to see the tracks taken away. 

“It’s way better than being inside and playing video games, we’ve made new friends and we are building something from nothing.”

No one seems to have a problem with the children building a BMX track – concerned residents simply spoke up saying that it was where the tracks were being built that was the problem. 

The cleared area behind the houses in Jinjera Parade is an Asset Protection Zone.

This is a buffer zone between the bushland and the buildings. It needs to be kept relatively clear in order to minimise fuel loads and to allow for fire trucks to access and fight the fire without obstruction.  

“Not only do the fire trucks need to be able to get along there unhindered, so do the contractors that mow the area seasonally in the build up to fire season,” a NSW Department of Industry - Lands and Forestry spokesperson said.

However, the parents of the children, as well as other community members, have come forward saying that there should be a way for the kids to keep their track while also allowing fire engines to access the area. 

Parents of the children also expressed their disappointment that those with concerns had gone to Council and the NSW Department of Industry - Lands and Forestry before simply approaching the children and their parents.

“I think the biggest concern is the unnecessary escalation of something that should have been handled locally,” Ms Walker said.

Ms Walker said it would have been more productive if those with concerns had sat down with the children, the parents and the local RFS to alleviate any problems.

“These children have no intention of impeding rural firefighters and if it were found that they had inadvertently blocked any access I believe they would be more than compliant with any suggestions to move the offending construction,” Ms Walker said.

In fact, the father of one of the children, Andrew Holt, oversaw the children taking down one of the jumps on Monday afternoon as he believed it may have partially blocked access.

“They have put in hours and hours of work here, we will do what we can to ensure they don’t lose it,” Mr Holt said.

Mr Holt has inspected the area and plans to get dirt to fill in some of the holes the children have created to ensure fire trucks are able to pass through without any obstructions.

Mr Holt also reiterated the fact that the children have not brought in any materials to build the tracks and have simply searched the forest and found illegally dumped waste and put it to better use.

The News Weekly understands that the  NSW Department of Industry - Lands and Forestry plans to inspect the site in the coming weeks. 

The parents of the children are hopeful that by filling in the large holes, the jumps that the children have built will be able to remain. 

However, what this story has done is start the conversation about having a purpose built BMX track in the Pambula Beach area. 

Jamie Kay posted a comment on Facebook, with an idea for a location. 

“How good would a proper BMX track be down here to hold Saturday morning races or even start a club. Kids need more to do around the area besides ball sports. The rear oval up the back of the Pambula sporting complex would be perfect,” Mr Kay. 

On top of this, Pambula Beach resident Hjalmar Arnold
 contacted the News Weekly saying that he works in the Trail Building Industry (predominantly bike trails and walking tracks) and would be willing to assist with the construction of purpose built tracks in the Bega Valley.

“As someone who has seen these trails first hand, I must commend the efforts of those involved. Although they may not be the most legal scratchings in the soil, they have added fundamental community spirit and a great play-space for those that use them,” Mr Arnold said.

“I totally agree that we need a common space where this activity is respected and responsibly overseen.

“I have attempted to approach council regarding their "Bega Valley Bike Plan" and address the respective Tracks and Trail strategy for the region. 

“I would be very interested to assist with the research, planning, proposal creation, and with luck, the delivery of sustainable tracks and trails in our amazing region.