By Molly Taylor
MOUNT Gambier could become a mountain bike tourism destination with key stakeholders currently exploring the potential for further trail expansion and promotion.
The picturesque crater lakes precinct boasts an extensive mountain bike trail network, developed over decades largely by community projects, and the success of the recent Inside Line Downhill race is fuelling further discussions on how to transform the region into a recreational riding mecca.
Popularity has grown steadily locally with the Mount Gambier Mountain Bike Club Facebook page doubling its followers over the last 12 months, growing by almost 350 members.
Club president Andrew Jones said since mountain biking was incorporated into the Olympic program in 1996, he had noticed increased involvement, especially in recent years.
“If you go for a ride on Sunday, there is always people around and it has just become huge,” Mr Jones said.
Mr Jones said the sport had massive untapped tourism benefits which the region could benefit from.
“In Adelaide, you have to drive to the area and find a park, but in Mount Gambier, you can just ride here (Valley Lakes precinct) in 10 to 15 minutes,” Mr Jones said.
“I think we are pretty spoilt in that regard and I think with the right tourism promotion we could make it a whole lot better.
“There is nothing stopping Mount Gambier from becoming the next hotspot.”
Riding on the crater of a volcano is a unique opportunity which Mr Jones said would be a selling point for many riders.
“People who like mountain biking are usually into that sort of thrill,” he said.
“I am sure people would just come to Mount Gambier for the tracks, especially because we are halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide.”
The Blue Lake cty was scheduled to host this year’s South Australia Gravity Enduro, which expected to bring around 250 riders and over a thousand spectators to the region, but the event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Mr Jones said as he had lived in Mount Gambier for almost 50 years, he would love to see mountain biking grow and benefit the region’s economy.
“We have plans for new trails, but we just have to wait to see what we can do. We would like to do a whole lot more,” he said.
Mount Gambier City Council infrastructure general manager Nick Serle said cycling was a booming tourism business, especially mountain biking.
“Council are continuing to work with the mountain bike club to make things happen,” Mr Serle said.
“Provided everybody works together and shares the area, I do not see any reason why we can not be the next big mountain biking area.”
Mr Serle said it was at the point where a formalised plan involving all parties had to be made before things could progress further.
“In 2017, council resolved to support the use of existing tracks and areas for mountain biking … The approval has served us well until now,” he said.
“At the time, no one really knew whether it was going to take off and it has, so it is now timely for us and the mountain bikers to step back and formalise the use of the tracks.
“We need to make sure the development of tracks are done only where existing track were or if outside that, done with development approval.”
Mr Serle said progress may take around six to 12 months and would slow down any grant funding which had been allocated.
“A grant application prompted us to make sure any expansion of tracks or development was not going to cause undue damage to the area,” he said.
“There are a whole bunch of things we need to be careful about just to protect the environment.
“We are extremely lucky to have this area right on the doorstep of our city. We really need to look after it.”
