Upper Yarra
2 Tuesday, 2 June, J 2015
Lanterns light up Warburton
7
A Mail News Group publication
Mail Covering the Upper Yarra Region of the Yarra Ranges Shire
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■ World-class mountainbike destination in the offing...
Bike hub nod By PETER DOUGLAS HOPES of transforming the Yarra Valley into a world-class mountain bike destination have taken a giant leap forward. At last week’s general meeting, Yarra Ranges Council adopted the Warburton Mountain Bike Feasibility Study, which investigated the viability of The Warburton Mountain Bike Hub proposal. The proposal includes up to 97km of new trails, created in four separate zones, linked by the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail and O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail. In passing the recommendations, council committed to allocating $500,000 ‘in principle’ towards the planning, design and construction stages. The funds are subject to further external funding, and will go towards the already-secured, ’in principle’ $300,000 commitment from the Warburton Yarra Junction Community Bank. Damian Auton, president of the Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers (YRMTB), has been a driving force behind the project. Mr Auton said council’s decision would reap great rewards. “This project offers incredible return in monetary and tourist figures,” he said. “The Yarra Ranges terrain compares well with international locations in the UK and Canada.” Mr Auton’s statements were supported through the feedback communicated in the feasibility study, which was released for public comment mid-last year. In fact, of the 238 responses received, there were only six objections.
The proposal estimates the economic benefits could be as much as $23 million annually, in addition to creating 175 jobs in Warburton. It also estimates the trail network could attract 130,000 mountain bike enthusiasts annually, as well as 120,000 day visitors and 10,000 overnight visitors. The build cost is estimated at between $2.9 million and $4.2 million. In addressing council, Cr Andrew Witlox said, as a mountain bike enthusiast himself, the scope for generating tourist income was clear. “What is proposed is better than many nearby trails,” Cr Witlox said. “This is a fantastic proposal because you can see the economic benefits. “Any trail longer than 50km is an overnight stay for riders, there are trails even bigger than this.” The proposal includes separate zones of 62km, 97.5km 106km and 146km. Cr Jim Child shared in the enthusiasm. “The feasibility study showed huge support from outside the community, these are people who will spend their money,” he said. “This is a $4 million investment for a $23 million return, which is just astounding.“ Cr Child said this project was council’s priority in terms of applying for some of the $50 million Interface funding announced in the State Budget.“ He said the project made sense, given the quality of terrain and the easy accessibility from the metro area and the Melbourne airport.
YRMTB president Damian Auton, Jeff Gill from Warburton Advancement League, Cr Jim Child, Jeff Vickers from Picture: KATH GANNAWAY Warburton Community Bank and, front, Doug Greenall from Cog Cafe. 139813
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