Warburton Mountain Bike Trail Network Needs Your Support - Deadline to Vote is Today
Words by Ken Oath
Australia’s largest MTB project is at the cross-roads.
Nearly a decade after the concept was proposed, and final hurdle is here. The fate of the project is now in the hands of those who benefit most - the riders and community.
An Environment Effects Statement was undertaken to substantiate the positive effects and minimal impact it will have and the time for the public to effectively ‘vote’ closes TODAY.
The mountain bike trail network will have 177km of trail, 1000m of descent set in a breathtaking landscape.
To support the project - head to this link to make a submission of support.
Like any homework task, it won’t count if you CUT & PASTE a submission. Simply state what MTB means to you AND why a world class MTB resort would be another great reason to visit Australia.
Here's some of my own reasons:
- Riding trails in a National Park will be amazing. An incredible and special setting that will make the ride truly unique.
- I spend too much on bikes and want amazing places to ride them.
- COVID isolation highlighted how important riding with mates is.
- The impact on flora and fauna of creating a narrow strip of singletrack is minimal as the extensive biodiversity report shows.
- The project is estimated to bring $48m dollarbux to the area annually.
- This project, along with others will make the Yarra Ranges a mecca for two-wheeled recreation and fertile ground for future champions on the dirt.
- Riding mountain bikes is the best mental health maintenance I know and when I ride, the worries of the world don't seem so heavy.
- My earliest thrill on two wheels was mountain biking and I couldn't imagine my life without those experiences, connecting with people and the land.
If you can spare the time to support - make a submission now.
Ride safe!
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$13 million dollars from the Federal Government, and not a single complete trail has been built because of red tape and locals.
Couldn't have cost half that to build the entire trail network in Bright.
I hope it get's up and running.
Doesn't matter how much you show them the potential benefits and opportunities outweigh the potential shortfalls and risks they don't want things to change.
Said “we couldn’t stand it any more, older generation locals who moved there for solace object to any change within the community. They assume anything done by anyone younger than 50 is wild and reckless. They pushed back so hard on a concrete walking path along the river in town, and when it got built, they all talk about how good it is”
Fear of change. It’s like people on bikes just want to go logging in the forest and steal all the car parks out the front of the shops. Those wild and reckless loonies!
See what happens when the logging companies move in and they need something to lock up areas of forests into something that makes money, then they'll want MTB Trails to bring in tourists.
The alpine trail networks are great but we need some competition in VIC to get a shuttle day ticket price down below $50, it's obscene the amount being charged due to not enough places to ride
Some of the best potential in N.S.W. Steep, gnarly trails. Plenty of vertical and most trails accessible by fire roads from top to bottom. Only problem is that some of the trails start in the conservation area and then go down into the state forest.
A lot of local push back for sure. Apparently mountain biking and mountain bikers are bad for the environment. Just ask the crazy CSU Professor who is behind the push back from the Conservation Party in Orange. He has even got the local Aboriginals on board saying that the proposed trails will effect native land.
I've been riding the trails there for around a year now and have never come across any bush walkers, any conservationists admiring the scenery or any aboriginals meditating in the bush. What I have seen is wild pigs and have been stuck in blue berry bushes which have consumed the majority of the mountain.
I've traveled to the US a fair bit and i'm constantly asking why Australia can't do the same as they do. So much infrastructure for any recreational activity. Chair lifts even on the smallest hills. Local governments encouraging locals to be out side and enjoying them selves. Living a fun and active lifestyle. Having a good day on the mountain skiing or riding while enjoying a few PBR's.
Maybe we just sit at the pub drinking VB and slapping the pokies instead?