By Jenel Hunt
A letter from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey has generated enthusiasm in Southern Downs Regional Council chambers about the possibility of tapping into the lucrative $1.9 billion national market for bike tourism.
The Minister’s January letter confirmed that the types of experiences with the most potential included half-day and full-day trail riding and mountain riding, while multi-day trail rides held strong appeal as well.
He said there was a growing demand for the target market, with a study of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail showing an elevenfold increase in private accommodation offerings and an addition of five new tour operators in just 12 months.
The Minister said he would welcome coordinated investment in projects to unlock the potential of the tourism market. This sparked discussion in chambers about how the Southern Downs region could capitalise on the burgeoning market.
At the council meeting on 25 January, CEO Dave Burges said he did not believe the council had ever looked into the rail trails in the region for this purpose.
“My understanding is that they are completely unused,” he said.
The first step would be to identify any suitable rail assets in the region because, for example, the Yangan line had been converted to freehold land ‘a long time ago’, according to Cr Andrew Gale.
Cr Cynthia McDonald said she was very much in favour given the tourism gains and the health benefits of an active lifestyle.
Cr Marco Gliori said the Killarney and Granite Belt areas were both already on board with bike trails and Killarney’s ongoing urban design could be used to incorporate the development of a trail.
According to Cr Cheryl Windle, Killarney had already discussed a rail trail through the area so more information should be readily available.
But the idea might not be easy to implement. Cr Ross Bartley said finding road reserves could be problematic.
“Some road reserves exist between Killarney and Warwick – they are a State Government facility – but unfortunately there would be significant links going cross country through paddocks. Where it comes down on the public road you can identify it, otherwise it’s gone forever,” he said.
“But the goat track between Mount Colliery and Killarney; if anyone was going to do anything, that is a road reserve.”
Mayor Cr Vic Pennisi said the council should not hesitate if it could help locals link into it in some way.
There are also hopes of being able to link into existing and projected walking and bike trails, including a trail linking national parks near Tenterfield. Studies have identified Girraween as a location of a mountain bike trail with linkages into Wallangarra that could dovetail into Tenterfield and a huge project they have on their books.
Also reported at the council meeting was that the Southern Downs & Granite Belt app which helps visitors plan their stay had been highly successful in promoting walking trails, with one of the highest engagements in social media the council had experienced. The app has recently been upgraded to include the addition of two new walking trails, Artistic Stanthorpe Walking Trail and Artistic Warwick Walking Trail.
