April 3, 2017
The push to make the South Burnett a motorcycle-friendly destination is gathering pace.
On Monday night local businesspeople joined motorcycling enthusiasts from Goomeri, Murgon and Kingaroy, and representatives from the South Burnett Regional Council to form a steering committee for the project.
The meeting was convened by Murgon businessman Mark Smith.
Mark, a keen motorbike rider himself, originally suggested the idea of a “motorcycle-friendly” region to the South Burnett Regional Council after learning that Crows Nest was about to be declared a “motorcycle-friendly” town.
Councillors liked the idea so much it declared the South Burnett as Queensland’s first motorcycle-friendly region at its March general meeting.
Mark told the meeting he and his wife Janelle attended Crows Nest’s official launch as a motorcycle-friendly town last month. He tabled some of the brochures Crows Nest plane to use as idea-starters for the meeting.
The brochures outlined routes riders could take, along with pointers to places of interest and businesses that provided services to motorcyclists such as food, fuel and accommodation along each route.
Cr Danita Potter said Council was currently looking at signage it could erect around the region to signify the South Burnett was motorcycle-friendly.
It had also set aside funding to produce brochures that could be distributed to motorcycle visitors.
Apart from creating tours, Cr Potter said it was important that appropriate businesses signed up to the concept.
“Being motorcycle friendly needn’t be expensive,” Cr Potter said.
“It could be something as simple as a pub providing hooks so motorcyclists can hang up their helmets and coats. Or as some of our pubs already do, providing them with a safe place they can store their bikes overnight.
“It could also be a cafe offering motorcyclists a free cup of coffee with their breakfast, or a hotel offering motorcyclists a free beer when they book an overnight room.”
Corey Goldie, from Lake Boondooma Tourist Park, said he had very positive experiences with motorcycle tourism when he ran Paradise Dam, and he was definitely in favour of bringing more motorcyclists to the South Burnett.
“Motorcyclists spend $130 to $140 a day because they don’t bring supplies with them,” Corey said.
“So when you get a club with 100 members visiting the region, they can really make … an economic impact.”
The meeting also discussed marketing, including forming connections with other motorcycle-friendly towns and motorcycle groups such as the Ulysses Motorcycle Club, setting up a social media and web presence, and holding an official launch celebration once signage, tour brochures and business participants were in place.
The group’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 18, at Kingsley Grove Estate winery at 49 Stuart Valley Drive, Kingaroy.
The get-together will begin with pizzas at 6:00pm before the meeting starts around 7:00pm.
Local businesses and/or motorcyclists who would like to get involved in the project can get more information from Mark Smith by phoning 0417-608-929.
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Congratulations and thanks Mark Smith for the initiative to promote and develop this opportunity for our South Burnett Region