Legwork begins for new First Turkey Mountain Bike trails
Published on 19 January 2016
Rockhampton’s First Turkey Mountain Bike Reserve is set to be the next big thing when it comes to attracting recreational tourism in the Region.
On the weekend Rockhampton Regional Councillors joined the Rockhampton Mountain Bike Club as they began marking a new trail following recent funding announcements.
Divisional Councillor’s Neil Fisher and Rose Swadling each contributed $10,000 from their Minor Works Budgets towards the construction and the State Government has also announced $39,560 in funding through the Get in the Game, Get Playing Places and Spaces program.
With additional fund raising efforts, the Rockhampton Mountain Bike Club is now set to begin $70,000 worth of trail development.
President of the Rockhampton Mountain Bike Club, Steve Wilcock, said the funding will grow the length and diversity of the trails, making Rockhampton the mountain bike destination of the future.
“$49,000 will go towards 1.2km of construction on Trail 6 which is known as the ‘Flow Down Trail’ plus connecting trails; the rest of the funding will improve existing trails and signage,” Mr Wilcock said.
The ‘Flow Down Trail’ is designed for intermediate riders with more advanced technical features to challenge riders to improve their skills and adds to the 12km of trail that already exists within the Reserve.
Business Enterprise Committee Cr Chair Neil Fisher said the trail development will become an increasingly popular asset for locals and competitors.
“While visiting the Mountain Bike Reserve on the weekend, we met two French riders who specifically stopped into Rockhampton to use our trails; I look forward to seeing even more tourists and competitors stopping here to test the new track when it’s completed,” Cr Fisher said.
“Our next step will then be working with the Club to encourage major riding tournaments so we can put our trails on the map.”
Meanwhile, Communities Committee Chair Cr Rose Swadling said the project will foster social cohesion in the community.
“Working with the local residents, the Mountain Bike Club and its members as well as the public will form stronger links throughout our community which is another great outcome for this project,” Cr Swadling said.
Once the marking of the trails has been completed, construction is expected to begin in March. This project is part of Council’s vision for Mount Archer.