Bike trails on track
Plans offer Cardwell a ticket to ride
A CASSOWARY Coast community’s dream to become a nationally recognised “ride destination” is one step closer after a major trail designing company was contracted to build the town’s first pump track.
The Cardwell Mountain Bike Project proposes to establish 94km of trails through the Cardwell State Forest and Elphinstone Range to create 16 adventure trails for mixed levels of experience, one wilderness trail and one link trail.
The estimated $10m project, which is currently in Stage Two of five as a business case is prepared, is expected to draw 30,000 riders and $18.1m in visitor spending each year.
In 2019, World Trail, which has designed trails at Atherton and Smithfield was awarded a $100,000 contract to undertake a feasibility study into the project, which evidentially proved Cardwell had the potential.
Now, the same company has been contracted to design and construct a pump track at the head of the proposed trails, in a move expected to “establish early works mountain bike infrastructure that will catalyse development of further mountain bike trails in the Cardwell area.”
The early works project will also create a bike wash, carparking and signage, which will link to the existing informal trails and position Cardwell as a bike-friendly destination.
Division 1 councillor Barry Barnes said the contract was welcome news for residents who had been lobbying for the trails and that World Trail had a wealth of experience and had designed, planned and constructed hundreds of projects in more than 20 countries.
“The Cardwell community has a long-term vision and it is thanks to their work that we can make this announcement,” he said.
“Right now, many residents are travelling to Cairns or the Tablelands to use other pump tracks and soon we will have one for use in our great region.
“The pump track will add a new attraction to encourage tourists to stop and explore Cardwell.”
The Cardwell Pump Track is expected to be completed and open for riding by June.