Save Hunchback Hill, formed to respond to Wodonga Council reviewing the use of the city’s slopes, wants competitive cycling moved to protect flora and fauna.

The group’s spokesman Dan Humpage said Huon Hill was more suited to mountain biking because it had a lower fire risk and barbecues, toilets and car parks.

He said tracks could also be built on a slope away from housing.

“Up until now it was never treated as a facility that Parklands Albury-Wodonga and council were trying to develop to attract 20,0000 visitors and the majority of work on trails has only happened in recent years,” Mr Humpage said when asked why he was protesting that long-running use of Hunchback Hill.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has moved to stop further work on bike trails on the hill and Mr Humpage believes development at the site has contravened planning processes.

“Everybody understands there’s a need for a mountain bike facility but go about it in the right way,” Mr Humpage said.

Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie noted “mountain biking has been occurring on that hill for nearly a decade” and was reluctant to support a move to Huon Hill.

“Just removing it because they don’t like it isn’t the answer,” Cr Speedie said.

“It has to be about a collective decision and yes we do have to look at the environmental impact absolutely.”

Cr Speedie said the development of the Meridian and Riverside housing estates on Huon Hill over time would probably result in any mountain bike racing there being as close to residents as it is now at Hunchback.