December 4th, 2024Djuwang Baring 60km mountain bike trail network officially opened
Hepburn Shire Council has officially opened the 60-kilometre mountain bike trail network, Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails) with a special event at the Hammon Park trailhead in Creswick held on Saturday.
Mayor Cr Don Henderson said the event was a festive culmination of years of hard work from multiple stakeholders, and years of advocacy by the community and the council.
“We know that the community was very much looking forward to this and we are proud of what we have been able to achieve with a diverse range of stakeholders,” Cr Henderson said.
Despite the rainy weather on the day, there was an impressive turn out at the opening on Saturday November 30, many who made the trek from Melbourne and beyond.
The trail network was designed for a wide range of abilities and skill levels and works to build a healthy, connected community, Cr Henderson said.
The 60-kilometre trail network is designed for a wide range of abilities and skill levels and works to build a healthy, connected community,” said Cr Henderson.
The project is being hailed as instrumental in strengthening the relationship between the Hepburn Shire Council and DJAARA. The branding and signage suite has been designed by Dja Dja Wurrung enterprise DJANDAK and features art by Nukara Nicholls-Moore, a Dja Dja Wurrung artist.
The trail network is expected to generate positive tourism outcomes, including increased visitation, providing a strong return to local and regional businesses and tourism destinations.
Cr Henderson said that since the partial opening of the trails in August, the trails have been extremely popular, and well-used by local and visiting mountain bikers and biking groups.
“We are noticing our local mountain bikers taking advantage of this trail network that weaves its way through Creswick’s iconic landscape,” he said.
“Village of the Old Goldfields Association (VOGA) and Ride Creswick are two local groups that have been putting the trails to the test, and we have heard from our business community who are seeing an increase in customers,” he said.
“The trails are extremely popular, so we understand that they will need to be monitored, along with any impacts on nearby residents,” said Cr Henderson.
The council has committed resources to the ongoing auditing and maintaining of the trails.
The Whale Tail, a black or extremely difficult jump line, was also re-opened after being closed for a full safety audit. Some minor changes have been made to improve the approach to the jump.
The $9.4 million project included funding from the State Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund ($2.56 million), with additional funding coming from State Government ($2.1 million) and the Creswick Community Bank ($250,000) to supplement Council’s contribution to the Hammon Park redevelopments.
