July 13, 2023
The long-awaited – but at times, controversial – Bunya Mountains Mountain Bike Trails project is now complete.
Western Downs Regional Council made the announcement on Thursday.
The multi-million dollar project was funded by Council and a grant from the Federal Government’s Local Roads Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.
Cr Kylie Bourne said the trails would offer “a new and exciting opportunity for residents and visitors to explore the wonder of the Bunya Mountains”.
The new trails feature about 18km of riding tracks – ranging from easy to intermediate riding ability – with three loops ranging in length from 1.3km to 6.3km, and a shared use linkage trail for walkers and riders.
“The trails utilise the significantly upgraded Russell Park Picnic Area, Bunya Mountains Outlook (Fishers Lookout), and Rifle Bird Park as trailheads to access the mountain bike trail network,” Cr Bourne said.
“Due to the sensitive natural environment and Indigenous significance of the area, this project required careful management during planning and construction.
“As our tracks begin to be enjoyed, we will continue to carefully monitor and manage the tracks, and we ask the community to obey trail signage and visitor information which is in place at the trailheads and online via the Western Downs Queensland website.”
Member for Maranoa MP David Littleproud said he was delighted to see the project come to fruition.
“I’m enormously proud to have been able to deliver the funds for this project via the LRCI and I can’t wait to see the Bunya Mountains Mountain Bike Trails for myself,” he said.
Cr Bourne said the WDRC would be hosting a celebration in early September to mark the opening of the trails.
The project attracted some criticism from local residents during its development, with fears there could be increased pressure on parking spaces plus a greater risk of the spread of Phytophthora.
The WDRC has installed some low-level “bridges” on the new trails, as well as a bike wash, to address concerns about the spread of the plant pathogen which has been causing dieback in Bunya and Hoop pines in the nearby Bunya Mountains National Park.
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