Shaping the Southern Flinders precinct
Designs for an international standard mountain bike trail in Mount Remarkable National Park will soon be underway, with design experts World Trail announced as the successful contractors for the design phase.
The construction of the mountain bike loop, which will be built to a standard to gain International Mountain Biking Association “EPIC” accreditation, is one of the key new projects to be established in the Southern Flinders ranges.
The South Australian and Federal Governments are jointly funding $10 million of works across the park precinct which includes Mount Remarkable National Park, areas of the Wirrabara Range and Telowie Gorge and Spaniard’s Gully Conservation Parks.
National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia Executive Director Mike Williams said the precinct would become a world-class adventure tourism destination with plans for the new international standard mountain bike track and other beginner level or intermediate mountain biking, upgraded trails for hiking, including a new multi-day hike and improved camping and visitor facilities.
Mr Williams said World Trail’s involvement in the project was an excellent step forward in seeing an internationally accredited trail developed.
“World Trail is one of the largest and most experienced MTB trail companies in the world and have designed, planned and constructed hundreds of projects in 20 countries,” Mr Williams said.
“They have designed and constructed every World Cup, World Championship, Olympic and Enduro World Series course in Australia.”
An engagement hub has been established to keep the community up-to-date on the progress of the projects and to let people know when there are opportunities to provide feedback on projects as they progress.
“The community will play an important role in shaping the future of the Southern Flinders Ranges precinct and will be asked to contribute their ideas towards the design of visitor facilities and experiences that will be created across the precinct,” Mr Williams said.
“There is also an initial online survey that we are encouraging people to complete to seek their views on some key elements of the project’s promotion.”
The Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, Northern Areas Council, District Council of Mount Remarkable, Port Pirie Regional Council and Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North were part of the partnership to secure the federal funding for the project.
Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North will be contracting partner with World Trail for the delivery of the EPIC loop.
These partners will work closely with the State Government to deliver the project.
Traditional owners of the land, the Nukunu, will also be involved in the project.
