A mountain bike network south of St Helens has hopes to bring 166 full time jobs to the East Coast region.
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Mayor Mick Tucker said the stacked mountain bike network project would be a “real game changer” for the region.
“Independent modelling for the completed project has shown it has the potential to create more than 150 full time jobs and return more than $18 million annually to our local economy which will have a huge positive impact for our entire community,” Cr Tucker said.
The track would consist of about 70 kilometres of trail, and would be designed to complament the Blue Derby network in the state’s North-East.
The trails would be linked back to the centre of St Helens through a “town link”, enabling riders to access the businesses and services.
Cr Tucker said mountain bikers would be able to stay longer in the area as tourism infrastructure is in place.
“St Helens already has a strong tourism focus that we can build off and further develop to support the development of the trails,” Cr Tucker said.
“And our climate and the location of the trails support all year round use which is a great opportunity for us to try and smooth out the extreme tourism troughs we experience in the winter months.”
The track was made possible by the Federal Government’s Regional Jobs and Investment Package, through which Break O’Day Council received $1.35 million.
Tasmanian Liberal senator Jonathon Duniam said the package would ensure a “steady stream of investment into regional Tasmania” and would create “more than 200 jobs”, with many more created indirectly.
“I am pleased to see this program backing people who are taking a risk by putting their ideas into practice, investing in their community and creating much-needed jobs in our regions.”
The package assists regions in Australia to diversify their economy, stimulate growth, and to bring about sustainable employment, and were delivered across 10 regions across the country.
Three other East Coast projects received funding through the package, including Freycinet Marine Farm at Coles Bay, Salty Seas at St Helens, and Seaperfect at Little Swanport.
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