By KATH GANNAWAY
New project highlights 35 kilometre ride…
SUPPORTERS of a world-class Mountain Bike Park for Warburton say it could reap benefits that would include increased tourism, employment opportunities, health and transport for locals and visitors.
A feasibility study has been completed for the proposed park and is expected to come up for consideration by Yarra Ranges Council in April.
The proposal is an initative of Parks Victoria under its Healthy Parks, Healthy People program and has involved input by council’s Sport and Recreation Department, Arts Victoria, DEPI, and stakeholders including Warburton Chamber of Commerce, the Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers (YRMB) and the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail Friends group.
Warburton member of the YRMB Damian Auton said specialist mountain bike parks were popular around the world offering opportunities for everyone for beginners to serious, competitive mountain bikers.
The Warburton model would link existing trails such as the O’Shannassy and Warburton Rail Trail with new off trail areas designed especially for more extreme riding.
“The highlight of this feasibility study is a 35 kilometre circuit around Warburton and East Warburton,” Mr Auton said.
“A three-metre wide trail connects Warburton to East Warburton where children, mothers with prams, walkers and bike riders could safely go between the communities to access schools and shops, but which would also provide mountain bike riders with access to the more difficult areas for recreational riding.”
Spokesperson for the Lilydale to Warburton Railtrail Friends group Phil Wallens said the idea has great support from the group which sees it as a very positive project that would potentially take advantage of the unique features of the Warburton area.
Mr Wallens said he believed it was a project that needed the Warburton community to get behind it and ensure that the political will was there to see the necessary funding come through to make it happen.
O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child is also on the committee which gave rise to the feasibility study.
“I believe we can get a very good result for the whole of Upper Yarra and ultimately the whole or Yarra Ranges with a fairly minimum spend by getting this bike hub up and running,” he said.
“I expect it will go out for public comment and what we are hoping, and expecting, is to really have the community behind it.”
