By Callum Ludwig
A landmark decision has been handed down today, with the proposed Warburton Mountain Bike Destination approved to go ahead by the State Government.
The Minister for Planning Lizzie Blandthorn’s assessment concludes that the majority of the project has acceptable environmental effects, subject to some specific project modifications and an amended environmental management regime.
President of Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers Andrew Howieson said he was elated at the decision.
“I’m still in shock, to be honest. To have some sort of understanding and clarity, I can’t really put into words how it feels, I’ve never experienced a feeling like this. It’s just brilliant,” he said.
“I’ve been saying to people that I didn’t realise how much of an impact this had on my mental health over the last few years. You get used to carrying around this huge amount of stress, anxiety and uncertainty and forget how much it weighs you down.”
The project’s first feasibility study came way back in 2013 and by December 20 2019, Yarra Ranges Council referred the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination Project to the former Minister for Planning Richard Wynne under the Environment Effects Act 1978. On 21 May 2020, Mr Wynne decided that an environmental effects statement (EES) was required.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said in a way, he was really glad that we’ve gone through this process because the EES was so thorough.
“It not only looked at the environmental impact but the social impact as well. It was a very thorough exercise and the actual inquiry panel has done an extremely good job,” he said.
“There is a fair bit of work for our team to analyse but it looks as though the project will push ahead and be a great outcome for not only the visitors to our region but also a huge injection to the economy.”
The project will almost go ahead in its entirety, but the IAC found that Trails 1, 45, 46 and 47 would present an unacceptable risk of significant effects, particularly for significant stands of Cool Temperate Rainforest and Cool Temperate Mixed Forest, as well as for the Mount Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly.
Mr Hoiweson said it was probably the best result that mountain bikers could’ve come away with.
“I’ve always been very staunchly positive and supportive of mountain biking being included in the national park, but only under the caveat that if it’s found to be done appropriately. Mountain bikers care about the environment and it’s part of the reason a lot of us go out and ride,” he said.
“Regardless of the result, we support the findings of experts in the field. We don’t want to ride at nature’s expense, we want to coexist with it in a way that balances everything. We are happy to go back to the drawing board and if those trails can never proceed, that’s still a win because we’d feel horrible causing extinction or endangerment.”
The project consists of 155km of new trails, 12km of upgraded existing trails, 10km of existing vehicle roads and tracks to be incorporated into the mountain bike trail network, two new bridges and new trailheads.
Cr Child said it has been a long collaborative journey.
“There have been three elected councils that have dealt with this project, and it’s been unanimously supported, as well as a lot of unwavering support from a lot of the community, and now it is time to really get serious about putting this project on the ground,” he said.
“There’s no other recreation project I believe in Australia, that has gone through this stringent of a process and it will have the highest environmental credentials of any.”
Local environmental groups have been contacted to comment on the decision and more key stakeholders will be contacted by the Star Mail in the coming days. More to come.
