Have your say on escarpment mountain bike plans

Mountain bike enthusiasts and interested residents this month will be able to offer their views on a bold new direction for biking activities along Toowoomba’s escarpment parks.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Parks and Recreation Services portfolio leader Cr Joe Ramia said public input on the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley Escarpment Mountain Bike Master Plan 2019-2026 would be open from Monday, October 7 to Friday, October 25.

“TRC is working in collaboration with the Lockyer Valley Regional Council (LVRC), with support from the Queensland Government, to develop a master plan that sets the future direction of mountain bike activities along The Range escarpment,” Cr Ramia said.

“We are especially keen for mountain bike riders to contribute their ideas to aid the plan’s development. Community feedback will be used to refine the development of the final master plan.

“The master plan will be a short to medium-term plan that identifies ways to create new trails as well as improving the existing trails along Toowoomba’s urban fringe in the next seven years.

“There is great scope to unlock the tourism and recreation potential of Toowoomba’s escarpment park trails.

“Our existing mountain bike trails have hosted club, state, national and Oceania title races and I’m positive any improvements will ensure we have the facilities to host bigger and better events. These trails could become nationally and internationally significant mountain biking destinations.

“The trails are important natural assets and appropriate upgrading or the establishment of new multi-use trails (for running, bike riding and horse riding) will expand recreation options for residents and visitors.”

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Sports and Recreation Portfolio Councillor Jason Cook encouraged residents of the Lockyer Valley to have their say.

“As a Council we are committed to providing outstanding trail experiences along The Range escarpment area,” Cr Cook said.

“This brings with it an opportunity to tap in to a growing adventure tourism market and cement our region as a leading mountain biking destination.”

Residents can contribute their ideas by:

• completing an online survey via yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/mountain-bike-mp 

• completing a hard copy survey. Surveys are available from Customer Service Centres. Completed surveys can be posted to Stakeholder Engagement, Toowoomba Regional Council, PO Box 3021, Toowoomba, 4350 or returned to a Customer Service Centre.

• attending a workshop on Tuesday, October 15, 4.30-5.30pm at the Toowoomba Sports Ground (Clive Berghofer Stadium), 47 Arthur Street, East Toowoomba. Registrations are essential. Please register online or call 131 872

• phoning Council on 131 872 to provide feedback to the project team or request a meeting.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council workshop: If you're a Lockyer Valley Council resident, you can provide comments by attending a workshop on Wednesday, October 16, 4.30-5.30pm at the Withcott Sports Centre, Springbrook Park, Park Ridge Drive.

Registrations are essential. Register by calling 1300 005 872.

The Queensland Government provided $25,000 to TRC & LVRC to develop the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley Escarpment Mountain Bike Master Plan 2019-2026 to enable Queenslanders to participate in sport and recreation activities.