Have your say on Forrest Mountain Bike Detailed Design Project
May 14, 2019
Colac Otway Shire is encouraging anyone interested in mountain biking, tourism and Forrest’s future growth to get involved this week with the Forrest Mountain Bike Detailed Design Plan development.
Council’s Economic Development Manager Gary Warrener said Council was working with the Forrest community, mountain bikers and everyone interested in recreational tourism in the Otways on the exciting project to improve and expand the popular trails.
Council in partnership with the community is hosting Open House community consultation and information sessions at Forrest Hall on May 16 and 17 from 2pm to 6pm each day.
“Forrest is such a vibrant community and the work we are doing to create a larger and even more enticing network of trails and a trailhead masterplan aims to maintain that vibrancy into the future.
“The town has come a long way since its turnaround from a logging town to a community with great tourism appeal, fantastic events such as the SoupFest and Run Forest, and its unique mountain biking trail network.
“Colac Otway Shire wants to make sure the Forrest Mountain Bike Trail network remains a high priority destination for mountain bikers and other recreational users for years to come.
“The detailed design work will complement the 2015 Forrest MTB Strategic Plan and the 2018 Forrest MTB Economic Analysis; so that the Forrest MTB Network and supporting community infrastructure is considered ‘shovel ready’ and an immediate investment opportunity for Government.
“The detailed design project has been funded through a Federal Government Grant of $100,000 with matching funds and in-kind support from Council.
“To deliver the Forrest MBT Detailed Design Project, Council has formed a Project Working Group which is led by Council and made up of representatives from the community, the Forrest MTB Club, DELWP and Barwon Water.
“Following a tender process, Dirt Art was appointed to deliver the Forrest MTB Detailed Design Project,” Mr Warrener said.
“While the project is focused on the MTB network, the aim is to deliver outcomes for other recreational pursuits, the community, the environment and visitors too.”
The project will involve four individual sub-projects: Detailed Design of the Boundary Road Traffic Treatment; Schematic Drawing and Detailed Design for the Forrest MTB Trails; Cultural Heritage and Pre-Planning Studies; and the Forrest Trailhead Precinct.
For more information on the project, visit the Open Houses this week or go to Colac Otway Shire’s website.
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400