Pedals to power tourism revival

ONE border community’s investigation into the viability of establishing a world-class mountain bike destination could set the Southern Downs region up as a growing adventure tourism hub.

Tenterfield Shire Council, in conjunction with Regional Development Australia Northern Inland, is calling upon riders to provide input about the proposed project that’s been up to six years in the making.

According to the regional council survey, the Angry Bull Mountain Bike Trails could feature the longest downhill track in Australia.

It would include 150km of single track surrounded by national parks and farmland and a 400m gravity track close to the CBD.

It’s also hoped the facility would incorporate bushwalking, horse riding, rock climbing, fishing and fossicking activities along with farm stays and heritage attractions.

A council spokeswoman said, the project was still in the preliminary stage of forming a business case, but offered a promising way of diversifying and revitalising the town’s struggling tourism economy.

“This is just another option to entice people to the area and offer a new market something really exciting,” she said.

Confident in being able to present a “very strong” business case, the spokeswoman said the next step would be to determine if they could secure further funding in order to make the project a reality.

“We’re quite lucky we’ve got a fair bit of funding through bushfire and drought that’s enabled us to kick it off,” she said.

“We know we’ve got a great spot for cycling, great off-road tracks and the landscape is perfect for it.

“Mountain biking is such a huge thing in Australia, and New Zealand and we believe we have great potential.”

To have your say in the survey, visit bit.ly/32UxTZz.