Finch Hatton MTB

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.

Public Notification

The Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Park (Stage 1) development application has progressed to Public Notification. Stage 1 consists of facilities, landscaping and a carpark at the trailhead site and the first 16km of the trail network.

Between Wednesday, November 9 and Thursday, December 1, 2022, any person can make a signed and written submission to:

Chief Executive Officer,

Mackay Regional Council,

PO Box 41, Mackay QLD 4740,

or via email at Development.Services@mackay.qld.gov.au.

The submission may support or object to all or part of the development proposal, however it must be ‘properly made’ and based on reasonable grounds and include relevant supporting evidence or documentation.

A ‘properly made’ submission:

• Is signed by each person who made the submission
• States the name and residential or business address of all submission-makers
• Includes one postal or electronic address for response
• Is made out the assessment manager (council); and
• Is lodged to council by Thursday, December 1, 2022.

Council will consider properly made submissions when deciding the application.

To review the application material, including proposal plans, search DA-2022-155 via Council’s online application portal here.

Make sure you reserve your seat!

Council will be holding a Mountain Bike Trails community update session in Finch Hatton this Sunday.

The session will include a project update, a planning update and a business/tourism update.

Session details:

Date: Sunday, November 13, 2022

Time: 10am to 11.30am

Venue: Finch Hatton Showground Hall

Online registration is required. Please visit Eventbrite to register.

If you cannot attend the session, the presentation will be made available online at connectingmackay.com.au/mountain-bike-trails after the session.

Should you require any further information, please visit connectingmackay.com.au/mountain-bike-trails or contact council’s community engagement officer Rebecca Batzloff on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or email rebecca.batzloff@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Public Realm Project Update #1