To deliver the project, the Taree Chamber of Commerce, under the banner of Team Taree, received $403,980 from the Australian and NSW government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
Manning Great Lakes Tip Riders President Dallas Chapman said the fires, and subsequent flooding, destroyed mountain bike trails and infrastructure built over a twenty-year period by local volunteers.
“The damage was extensive, basically everything was burnt to the ground,” Mr Chapman said.
“We lost a total of 50 bridges and almost 40 jumps. The trails were still there but anything that was built with timber was burnt away.”
The expanded facility, which opened this week, is now about 80 kilometres in length and includes a new downhill trail, climbing trail, toilet block and trail signage.
Access has been improved with upgraded carparking while a section of Greenhill Road has been rebuilt to allow access for adaptive mountain bike shuttling.
Earthworks have also increased the resilience of new tracks to future natural disasters.
Mr Chapman said some of the Kiwarrak trails are unique, with a new 2.7-kilometre-long adaptive trail added alongside the more extreme rides.
“It’s probably one of the longest single track adaptive trails in NSW, if not Australia, and it’s for use by those in wheelchairs or adaptive cycles and is very family-friendly,” he said.
“Then there is Triple Zero which has some really big features [jumps and drops] to get some of those more experienced riders who are bored with the everyday stuff.”
Manning Great Lakes Tip Riders Race and Event Organiser Bruce Pain said revitalising and enhancing the mountain bike trails was important for the recovery of the local economy.
“Whenever we hold an event, it ends up being one of the biggest on the North Coast,” Mr Pain said.
“Our main event is the PBM Hardrock 6 hour which brings over 250 people into town.”
Department of Regional NSW Director Economic and Industry Recovery Megan Cleary said the design of the new trails will encourage growth in mountain biking through greater inclusion.
“Mountain bike riders come from all over Australia to ride the Kiwarrak trails, bringing significant income to the local region,” Ms Cleary said.
“The new amenities and design of the trails add to the variety of the Kiwarrak experience, enabling people with a disability who ride mountain bikes to join the fun. The trails are also designed to encourage women’s participation in the sport.”
The entire replacement and enhancement project cost $543,095, with additional funds contributed through sponsorship and fundraising by the Manning Great Lakes Tip Riders Mountain Bike Club.
A video case study including the Kiwarrak Mountain Bike Trail Replacement and Enhancement project can be found HERE.
