May 11th, 2020Creswick Trails on track despite COVID-19
A COMMUNITY Engagement Report for Creswick Trails, 100km of purpose-built mountain bike trail, is due to be released this month, however an opening date remains some years away.
Hepburn Shire Council’s project manager Alison Breach, pictured, said since the completion of the community engagement on the Concept Trail Alignments in January, the team had been busy behind the scenes reviewing feedback.
The next move was a review and revision of the Concept Trail Alignments in collaboration with land managers and traditional owners to create a draft called the Detailed Design Alignments followed by a collaborative review of all background reports with land managers, she said.
This would be followed by negotiation of a Land Use Activity Agreement with the Dja Dja Wurrung which will include ways that the traditional owners will participate in the Creswick Trails now and into the future.
An application for a planning permit could be as close as August or September but there would then be a construction tender with construction taking up to two years.
“Public feedback has been that people are very excited about the proposed trails and also the prospect of having a regionally- significant outdoor recreational activity in their backyard.
“Also, for our businesses to see an increase in tourism and the opportunities that brings.
“Of course, the most common question we get is ‘why is it taking so long?’ and I completely understand that. The answer is that we are really trying to do this to best practice, with lots of conversations and lots of assessment and checking. There is no precedent for something of this complexity and history of the area. There is no process, we are forging that process as we go.”
Alison said to that end, the project was being keenly watched by other local governments keen to do something similar.
“We have absolutely had quite a bit of interest from others wanting to do the same thing, mountain biking is really growing in popularity – and yes, they are asking us for tips.”
Alison, an avid bushwalker whose father maintains part of the Appalachian Trail in America, said the project was really exciting and more important than ever.
“This project has the potential to help revitalise and refresh after something like COVID-19 through job creation with construction, maintenance and also jobs associated with an increase in visitation.
“We are able to provide people with that physical outdoor exercise that they may have been craving while inside Netflixing.”
The trail will start at the Hammon Park trailhead, pump track and car park and will be one of the Hepburn Shire Council’s flagship recreation assets, attracting more visitors to the region, boosting tourism and the local economy.
The finished network will feature a variety of trail types and ride zones, including a series of accessible trails designed and constructed specifically for riders who have limitations, riding a standard, up-right, leg-powered mountain bike. These adaptive trails will be the first of their kind in Victoria.
The project is funded through a partnership between Regional Development Victoria – $2.56 million and council – $1.5M. The resulting network will be maintained by council in partnership with land managers Parks Victoria, the Department of Land Water & Planning, Central Highlands Water and Hancock Victoria Plantations.
“This project has the potential to help revitalise and refresh after something like COVID-19 through job creation with construction, maintenance and also jobs associated with an increase in visitation.”
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes
