July 15th, 2022Tender for trails network
Hepburn Shire Council has released a tender for construction of the Creswick Trails Network, a major milestone for the multi-million dollar project, which will see 60km of mountain bike trails built in and around the Regional Park, State Forest and plantation lands of Creswick.
“This is a major project for our Shire and we are incredibly excited to see it progress to the next stage,” said Mayor, Cr Tim Drylie.
“These world-class mountain bike trails will be an important drawcard for visitors to our Shire, and a fantastic resource for our community to get active and enjoy the great outdoors,” said Cr Drylie.
“It’s been a complex project that has required a range of approvals with many stakeholders, including the Traditional Owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung and land managers, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, HVP Plantations and Parks Victoria.
The project has been designed where possible to avoid, preserve and protect important cultural, historic and ecological values inherent in the area.
Work is already underway on the Hammon Park Trailhead in Creswick, which will serve as a community and youth precinct focusing on accessible play, cycling safety, cyclocross, and a site for local, regional and national events.
“With the Commonwealth Games coming to regional Victoria in March 2026, we are lobbying in partnership with the City of Ballarat for mountain biking to be included in the games, and for Creswick to be the heart of the mountain biking competition,” said Cr Drylie.
Creswick Trails is well located, being less than 15 kilometers from Eureka Stadium in Ballarat, which will be home to the athletics.
“Mountain biking at this international level will help to make the most of these facilities, and bring considerable benefits to our community through tourism,” said Cr Drylie.
“The Creswick Trails Network will be one of Australia’s leading mountain biking destinations. We cannot wait to get on with it and deliver these trails for our community,” he said.
Council is anticipating a strong response to this tender. It is advertised on Council’s website at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au.
The tender documentation places emphasis on a quality outcome that is compliant with the processes in the suite of documentation designed to protect the cultural, historic and ecological values of the project site.
It is anticipated that Council will consider awarding the contract at the November or December 2022 Council Meeting, and begin construction early 2023 for completion in mid-2024.
The tender is open until Tuesday 6 September.
Council received a $2.56 million grant from Regional Development Victoria’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund. Council has contributed $1.52 million to date and is investigating additional funding sources.
