Finch Hatton MTB

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

Save the date - Community Update Session (November 13)

Council will be holding a Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails community update session in Finch Hatton on Sunday, November 13.

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.

Mountain Bike Trails still going head

The Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail (PVMBT) project is still going ahead, despite the Queensland Government’s plans to build a pumped hydro scheme in the Pioneer-Burdekin area.

Based on the information given to council, and the likely timing of the project, it appears there will be no impacts on the ability of council to deliver the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail Project.

The PVMTB Project is expected to be constructed between 2023 and 2025 which would precede any works on the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme. At this stage there is no suggestion to change our plans or timing of the delivery of the mountain bike project.

Council will be holding another community update session in November to provide residents with a project update.

Should you have any questions about the mountain bike trail project, please contact council’s community engagement team on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or email engagement@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Mentoring program sets Pioneer Valley business on the right path

Things are buzzing in the Pioneer Valley, especially for local business CannonBee.

The family-owned and Eungella based business uses natural beekeeping practices to produce raw honey and beeswax products, including Eungella Raw Rainforest Honey and Propolis and Raw Honey Face Polish.

Business owner Janine Cannon recently participated in the second round of council's one-on-one tailored mentoring program for small business owners.

Mrs Cannon said the program offered a fantastic opportunity to learn how to leverage off the growing tourism market in the Pioneer Valley.

"We are mostly a product-based business, so it has been wonderful to get some expert advice on how we can move into more education focussed aspects such as hosting tours and workshops on beekeeping," Mrs Cannon said.

Mayor Greg Williamson said this current round of the program had been aimed at existing businesses, as well as start-ups with a business idea that supported the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails.

"Council is investing in the program as part of our ongoing commitment to growing the visitor economy and ensuring the Mackay region continues to grow as a highly-regarded leisure destination," Mayor Williamson said.

"We want the Mackay region to be front of mind for travellers seeking nature experiences and we want to offer a high standard of experiences for them to enjoy while visiting," he said.

Council offers a free five-part webinar series focused on business development for businesses in the Pioneer Valley. They are available on council's website at https://bit.ly/3cyZM2k.

The Small Business Mentoring Program is designed and facilitated by independent mentors, business and tourism experts, Sparrowly Group on behalf of Mackay Regional Council.