The Shoalhaven Cycling Association, which incorporates the Nowra Velo Club, South Coast United Mountainbikers and Shoalhaven BMX Club, has lodged a submission with the Shoalhaven Sports Board proposing the development of a competition-standard BMX track, criterium circuit, mountain bike trail, jumps and playground.

The association said the complex could cater for riders of all ages and abilities and would also include a learn-to-ride track, which would be purpose built to cater for preschool and younger primary aged children, but could also introduce and educate new riders to cycling.

The tip site is located off Illaroo Road and has not been used for more than 30 years, during which time it has been the subject of a series of clean up, remediation and monitoring projects.

The proposed site is approximately 10 hectares in size and is bounded by Bomaderry Creek Regional Park and residential housing. 

Access would be via Falcon Crescent. 

The land is owned by the Department of Primary Industries Crown Land Division, council having surrendered its licensing condition for the location in January 2010.

The three clubs in the association have a membership of more than 300 people, most of whom have to use public roads, or race outside the area for competitions.

With no permanent criterium location, Nowra Velo members have to apply to use public roads for competition, while the nearest track for local BMX racers is in the Illawarra, meaning potential income for the Shoalhaven is being lost.

The Illawarra BMX Club is the largest club in NSW and is currently oversubscribed, with its members expressing strong support for the proposed Shoalhaven facility.

The proposal said such a facility would have the ability to host regional, state and national events, bringing visitors to the area with cycling recently described as being in the top five growth areas for tourism development.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has said the land would not be suitable for addition to the regional park, but expressed reservations about weed control and management of leachate seeping out of the tip.