August 7th, 2024Partial opening of Creswick mountain bike trails
In a move that’s pleased plenty of keen mountain bikers, the Hepburn Shire Council has opened 32 kilometres of Creswick’s new mountain bike trails network (Djuwang Baring) – five months ahead of schedule.
Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Brian Hood says the early opening was a significant milestone for the transformational project.
“We are very proud of our construction contractor Dirt Art and the council team for getting this project to the point where we can open 32 kilometres of trails five months before the scheduled opening date of December 2024,” Cr Hood said.
“Djuwang Baring will be a unique asset for our local community. It will have a strong positive impact on tourism, visitation and in turn, provide strong returns to local and regional businesses and tourism destinations,” said Cr Hood.
Since receiving external funding in 2018, the project has made steady progress towards completion and when completed Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails) will be a 60 kilometre network of mountain bike trails starting from the Hammon Park Trailhead, a five minute walk from the centre of Creswick.
Funding for Hammon Park and Djuwang Baring has been provided by the State Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund ($4.66m) and Creswick Community Bank ($250,000 for Hammon Park) with Council funding the remainder.
Planning and design for the network was completed with the issue of the construction planning permit in early 2022. The Hammon Park pump track was opened in 2019, Hammon Park Trailhead in mid-2023 and construction commenced on trails in early 2023 with a projected completion date of December 2024.
Djuwang Baring – which means ‘long track’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language – is managed and maintained by Hepburn Shire Council.
“Progress towards completion has been steady and we are pleased to announce this early opening. Council has worked hard to fast-track part of the trails network so that we can realise the tourism and visitation benefits to the region earlier than anticipated,” said Cr Hood.
The council also celebrates the partnership with the Traditional Owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung and acknowledges that the trails are located on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
The project has been instrumental in strengthening the relationship between Hepburn Shire Council and DJAARA with the name for the whole trail network as well as half of the trail segments in Dja Dja Wurrung language.
The branding and signage suite has been designed by DJANDAK and features art by Nukara Nicholls-Moore, a Djaara artist.
“Sharing Dja Dja Wurrung creativity and language and seeing it on Country, in the landscape where it belongs, benefits Djaara People and the wider community” said Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation Group CEO Rodney Carter.
“It’s wonderful people can access part of Djuwang Baring ahead of schedule.”
To facilitate the early opening, temporary signage is in place on the advanced sections and the remaining 28 kilometres and permanent signage is expected to be ready later in the year.
Trails begin from Hammon Park Trailhead where there is parking, toilets, BBQ, cycling jumps and children’s play areas.
The council is now requestion that people please stay off the remaining trails that under construction and are marked with signage, fencing and orange flagged bunting in order to assist in the completion of the balance of the trails in the network.
A formal community celebration is planned to be held in December 2024 when the full trail network will be officially opened.
Those keen to get more information on the trails can visit the website djuwangbaring.com
