Finch Hatton MTB

Mountain Bike project marks momentous milestone

THREE separate contracts, worth a total of more than $6.25 million, have been awarded in a momentous day for the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike project.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the construction contracts, awarded to three separate companies, marked a huge milestone for stage one of the signature project.

“Our Field Services crews have been onsite undertaking civil works for stage one of this project, which is exciting for the Pioneer Valley and our region in terms of tourism and being an economic driver,’’ he said.

“These three contracts will bring the Finch Hatton trailhead and the first stage of associated trails to life.”

Mayor Williamson said it was pleasing the major contract, worth more than $3.8 million for the Finch Hatton trailhead, had been awarded to Mackay company J Mac Constructions Pty Ltd.

The first contract awarded at today’s ordinary meeting was for the design and construction of 16 trails, measuring 13.5km, in stage one of the project at Finch Hatton.

This was awarded to World Trail Pty Ltd as trustee for World Trail Unit Trust, for a tendered price of $2,003,799 (excluding GST), including a provisional sum for a six-month maintenance program.

The second, for the Finch Hatton trailhead, was awarded to J Mac Constructions Pty Ltd for $3,851,928.79 (excluding GST).

The third tender awarded was for the pump track at the Finch Hatton trailhead site.

It will be built by another Mackay company TKK Service Pty Ltd, trading as Bike Tracks Australia, for $395,583.

“There has been a huge amount of community consultation done, especially with the Finch Hatton and Eungella communities, throughout planning for this project,’’ Mayor Williamson said.

“Excitement is building and that will only be heightened with tenders awarded for stage one and the start of construction upon us,’’ he said.

Save the date - Community update session (May 4)

Council will be holding a Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails community update session in Finch Hatton on Thursday, May 4.

The session will include an update on stage 1 works, the progress on stage 2, as well as a planning and business update.

Session details:
Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023
Time: 5.30pm to 7pm
Venue: Finch Hatton Showground Hall

Further details will be provided closer to the event.

If you cannot attend the session, the presentation will be made available on council's Connecting Mackay website.

You're invited... to a branding workshop

Local residents are invited to a branding workshop for the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails project.

Council's branding consultants, Destination Marketing Store and Swell Design, will be in Finch Hatton on Sunday, and they are keen to engage with the local community to better understand the attributes and values that make the Pioneer Valley a destination of choice.

The purpose of this session is to help develop a consumer-led mountain bike destination brand that:

• Appeals to both national and international audiences
• Supports the delivery of exceptional tourism experiences that will drive growth in market share and overnight visitation
• Achieves greater tourism interest for the Mackay region; locally, nationally and internationally.

Community workshop details:

Date: Sunday, March 26
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Venue: Finch Hatton Showground Hall
Light refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP council's community engagement officer Rebecca Batzloff on 0460 014 780 or email rebecca.batzloff@mackay.qld.gov.au by Thursday, March 23.

Please note workshops with also be held with local progress associations, Mackay Tourism, local businesses and the Mountain Bike Alliance. Please only RSVP to one workshop, as numbers are limited.

Civil works set to commence at the trailhead site!

Council’s Field Services team will be at the Finch Hatton Trailhead site for the next few months to complete civil works for the mountain bike trail project.

The works include:

• The construction of the car park
• Internal roads and road access to the site from Mackay-Eungella Road
• Stage 1 shuttle-access road
• Stormwater drainage within the site.

The team will be working, Monday to Friday, 6.30am to 6.30pm.

Please note - there will be some minor noise and dust disturbances associated with these works. However, appropriate controls will be put in place to minimise disturbances.

Traffic management will also be positioned on Mackay-Eungella Road, when the site access works are occurring. Please adhere to all roadside signage and instructions.

Should you have any questions about these works, please contact council’s project manager Adam Pearce on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

The tenders for stage one work of the Finch Hatton trailhead site, 13.5 kilometres of trails and the pump track, close on Tuesday, March 7.

Marketing company on board!

Council has appointed Destination Marketing Store and Swell Design Group to look after the marketing and branding of our mountain bike park.

Together, they have a wealth of experience in marketing mountain biking and destinations across Australia.

Their work will be delivered in three stages.

Stage 1: Research and insights
(Global and local travel trends, consumer audience and industry stakeholder profiles, destination analysis, naming options)

Stage 2: Consultation workshops and industry engagement
(Meetings and workshops with local residents, businesses, traditional owners, progress associations, tourism bodies and trail builders to gain local insights. Invitations will be sent out next month).

Stage 3: Brand strategy development
(Destination marketing plan and brand visual identity manual/toolkit).

This project is expected to be completed by July and will complement the signage and wayfinding package and the placemaking project that is currently under way.

Should you have any questions about these works, please contact council’s community engagement officer Rebecca Batzloff on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or email rebecca.batzloff@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Council is commencing the strategy and concept design phase of the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails’ signage and wayfinding package.

The strategy will consider the wider area of Finch Hatton and will be delivered in stages, recommending designs and locations for entry signage, trailhead markers, trail network maps, interpretive signage, regulatory signage and directional signs so that all points of interest in the area are captured.

The objective of the strategy is to ensure the users of the mountain bike park and visitors to the township, have a clear understanding of the trail network and where to find supporting commercial services and recreational opportunities. The first stage will focus on the trailhead site, it’s immediate surrounds and the Stage 1 trail network.

The project will complement the destination marketing project and the Finch Hatton public realm and placemaking project currently under way.

Two wayfinding consultants assisting council with this project will be walking around Finch Hatton on February 9 and 10, 2023.

Seeking experienced contractors for stage 1 works!

Mackay Regional Council is looking for experienced contractors to complete stage 1 of the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Park.

Tenders are being sought for the construction of 16 trails measuring 13.5 kilometres, a purpose-built trailhead site at Finch Hatton and a pump track.

Visit www.qtenders.epw.qld.gov.au/qtenders to find out more.

Council gives green light for stage one works

The Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike trails project has clicked up a gear!

At today's ordinary meeting, council approved a development application for stage one of the mountain bike park.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year

The Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails team would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year.

We are still going through the development approval process for stage 1 works (the Finch Hatton Trailhead site and 16 trails).

The team will update you in the new year on our progress.

Hopefully we will be mountain biking in no time.

Should you have any questions about the project, please contact council’s project manager Adam Pearce on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

Community update #4

If you couldn't attend the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail Community Update Session on Sunday, November 13, at the Finch Hatton Showground Hall, you can see it here.

The presentation features a project update, a planning update and a business/tourism update.

Should you have any questions about the presentation, please contact our community engagement officer Rebecca Batzloff on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or email rebecca.batzloff@mackay.qld.gov.au.