Finch Hatton MTB

Widi representatives to fly over mountain bike trails

Representatives from Widi will take to the sky on Monday, September 5, to conduct cultural heritage investigations over the proposed Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails.

Their findings will inform the project's cultural heritage management plan.

Their helicopter will be taking off and landing at the Eungella Oval between the hours of 10am and 1pm.

Residents are asked to please refrain from using the oval between these hours.

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

Lots to do at the Finch Hatton Trailhead site!

The Finch Hatton trailhead site will be a place where you start and finish your mountain bike adventure and enjoy a family day out.

The design for the trailhead site on Lot 11 Anzac Parade, Finch Hatton, has been completed.

The design is based on the extensive consultation that council had with the Pioneer Valley community and industry experts last year.

The site will include:

• a landscape buffer zone between the residential properties and the trailhead site
• historical features
• a pump track
• footpaths
• picnic shelters
• toilets
• recreational open space
• a bike wash area
• overflow parking
• connection to the trails and township.

The design has been included in the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail Stage 1 Development Application (DA), which has now been lodged. The DA was lodged by a consultant on behalf of the project team and will be considered by council and the State Government over the coming months.

Whilst the DA is being reviewed, the project team will be working on stage 2 of the trail alignments and seeking the required approvals.

Council will hold another community update session before the end of the year, to update everyone on the project, including the status of the Stage 1 works (the Finch Hatton Trailhead site and 14 trails).

To stay up-to-date on this project, subscribe to project update emails on the right-hand side of this page.

The Queensland Government have contributed towards design elements of the project, including the detailed design of the trailhead and environmental assessments.

World Trail to complete surveying works!

International trail experts, World Trail, will be surveying the proposed trail network for the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails project over the next two weeks, weather permitting.

Two teams will be "ground truthing" the wilderness trails from Eungella to Finch Hatton and the remaining trails on the hills behind Finch Hatton.

As part of this work, they will be assessing the terrain and mapping their preferred trail alignments.

To date, World Trail has mapped 37 kilometres of our trails, and they will complete the remaining 63 kilometres over the next two weeks.

To stay up-to-date on the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails project, subscribe to project update emails on the right-hand side of this page.

The Queensland Government has contributed $500,000 towards this project including the detailed design of the trailhead and environmental assessments.

Our team will be at the Mackay Show!

You can check out the mountain bike trailhead site and learn about stage 1 of the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails project at the Mackay Show.

Plus you can have a go of an interactive mountain bike.

When: 14,15 & 16 June

Where: Council display, Mackay Showgrounds, Pavilion 500.

Visit the display to go into the draw to win a mountain bike and one of two $200 bike vouchers. T&C's apply.

Explore our epic trails at the Pioneer Valley Show!

You can check out our mountain bike trailhead site, see our newly restored Cattle Creek Mill building and learn about the exciting Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail project at the Pioneer Valley Show. Plus - hear about local planning in the Valley.

When: Sunday, June 12, 2022 (9am to 1pm)

Where: Cattle Creek Mill building, across the road from the Finch Hatton RSL

Visit the display to go into the draw to win a mountain bike and one of two $200 bike vouchers. T&C's apply.

Finch Hatton and Eungella gearing up for mountain bike trails

Council is gearing up to help Finch Hatton and Eungella capitalise on economic benefits to flow from the Pioneer Mountain Bike Trails.

Proposed changes to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme are intended to help facilitate commercial and other non-residential uses in those townships.

They would also encourage a wide range of uses or adaptive re-use and reduce the levels of assessment for certain developments that would support the mountain bike project.

Click here to read more.

Major amendment 3 to commence state interest review

On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, council endorsed the prepared major amendment 3 to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme 2017 (the proposed amendment) and resolved to give notice to the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning to undertake the state interest review.

The proposed amendment focuses on the Pioneer Valley townships of Finch Hatton and Eungella to support these towns becoming a trail town for the future mountain bike trails.

The purpose and general effect of the proposed amendment to the planning scheme is to:

• Facilitate commercial and other specific non-residential uses within designated precincts and through appropriate provisions under the Township Zone in the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships
• Encourage a wider range of uses or adaptive re-use by changing the zone of a small number of lots to Township in the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships
• Reduce the levels of assessment for certain uses to facilitate appropriate development outcomes for the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships in support of the Pioneer Valley mountain bike project.

Once the state interest review is completed, all supporting documentation including the schedule of amendments will be made public and residents will have the opportunity to lodge a properly made submission on the amendment documentation.

Click here to see the initial presentation of the proposed recommendations.

World Trail inspects stage 1 trails this week

World Trail will be inspecting the trails for stage one of the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails project on April 12 and 13.

They will be ground truthing on council's freehold land behind the Finch Hatton trailhead site, assessing the terrain, and mapping the preferred trail alignments.

World Trail will then return in late-April/early-May to continue their work.

The Queensland Government has contributed $500,000 towards this project including the detailed design of the trailhead and environmental assessments.

Newly restored Cattle Creek mill building wins bronze

The Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail's newly restored Cattle Creek Mill Administration Building has claimed bronze in council's 2022 Heritage Awards.

BH Building restored the building early this year, bringing it back to its former glory.

The works included asbestos removal, roof replacement, a new kitchen, a paint job and the revitalisation of the existing signage and façade.

The building may be used for ticket sales, events, marshalling or visitor information.

Click here to watch the restoration process.

Watch update in the comfort of your home

If you couldn't attend the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail Community Update Session on Sunday, March 20, at the Eungella Hub, council has created a video of the presentation, so you can watch it at a time that is convenient for you.

The presentation features a project update, a planning update and an economic development update, as well as the contact details of the relevant council departments, should you have an enquiry.

Click here to watch the presentation.