Table of Contents
COMMENTARY
This Sunday, the Bells Line of Road, a lifeline for residents, businesses, farmers, and tourism operators will be shut down for the VIC100 charity bike race from 6.30am to 12:30pm. Marketed as a major sporting challenge for cyclists, the event is to raise funds for three Lifeline centres in Gordon, Campbelltown, and Bathurst.
But as more details emerge, so do the questions, particularly around how this event was approved, what locals were (and weren’t) told, and whether Hawkesbury has been used as a backdrop for someone else’s charity fundraiser with no direct benefit to our community.
Which Lifeline Services Support the Hawkesbury?
For Hawkesbury residents in crisis Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney, based in Campbelltown is the official catchment service for crisis assistance.
It is important to note that the 24-hour Lifeline crisis hotline is funded by state and federal governments and major corporate partners and staffed across 40 Lifeline organisations nationwide including the three mentioned above.
Local Suicide Prevention and Support Services in the Hawkesbury LGA
There are several local organisations providing crisis support to Hawkesbury residents including Head to Health (mental health navigation and referrals), Headspace Hawkesbury (youth mental health), The Salvation Army (financial counselling and crisis support), Hope4You (suicide prevention and postvention) and Nepean Blue Mountains PHN suicide prevention programs. These are the organisations that serve Hawkesbury residents every day, however none are beneficiaries of this charity bike race.
How Did the VIC100 End Up on the Bells Line of Road?
BLOR is one of NSW’s most scenic roads. Event organisers promote it as:
“A beautiful, brutal climb,” and “A rare chance to ride the Bells Line with no cars.”
This highlights the appeal for a premium cycling experience. Securing approval to close a major state road is significant and the path to that approval is where concerns intensify.
Council’s August Meeting: What Was Said — and What Wasn’t
In August 2025, Hawkesbury City Council heard from Mr Ed Kirk, Founder and President of the cycling group GoforBroke who is responsible for the event. Mr Kirk emphasised the economic benefits to Hawkesbury, claiming the event would “bring new customers to BLOR businesses” without evidence other than his word. No mention was made of the loss of Sunday trade income for agritourism businesses along BLOR and how this might be compensated by the event.
Councillors responded with thanks, support, and commendation and passing the Traffic Committee Recommendation that the road be closed for the bike race. However, what wasn't said at this meeting according to Bells Line Road Business Council was:
“The Bells Line of Road Business Council has been working on this issue for almost two years. At no point have we opposed the cause of suicide prevention. Our concern is that Hawkesbury is absorbing the full impact of a major road closure with no confirmed, material benefit to our region. It was very disappointing that no Councillors raised any community concerns before voting to approve the event.” Said Fiona Germaine Director of BLOR BC
What questions could have been asked?
At the Council meeting Mr Kirk mentioned the event uses 120 volunteers. Their duties were not clearly described so how they would support local businesses along the route could not be assessed. Presumably most of the activity would be at the start and finish line of the event, Penrith and Mt Victoria and given BLOR closure and the quickest route between these two points is the Great Western Highway, so businesses along this road would be most likely benefit.
Volunteers are less likely to stop at local shops, cafes, orchards, or attractions on BLOR during the event due to the road closures which last up to 4pm when roads reopen at Mt Victoria.
Two Toilet-Stop locations on BLOR have been identified in the public parks at Kurrajong and Bilpin and both are some distance from food shops in these villages, which is likely to deters spending.
In response to Hawkesbury Gazette inquiries, Council stated it “did not approve the event,” that it was solely a Traffic Committee matter, and Council “did not sponsor” the event.
But this is at odds with the August meeting where councillors publicly supported and thanked Mr Kirk and the Traffic Committee recommendation for road closures was ratified by Councillors.
The Gazette also asked of the 3 LifeLine organisations at Gordon, Campbelltown and Bathurst, who will split the funds raised by the event, if they would consider passing on at least part of their windfall to mental health suicide prevention services operating in Hawkesbury. A response to this question has not been received.
A charity event without a clear explanation of who is paying and is it fair
All communities across Australia strongly support suicide prevention and mental health initiatives. The issue for this event is who is paying for it and is this fair? Has Hawkesbury been taken for a ride?
