Construction on new East Coast mountain bike trails is expected to begin in early 2019 after the Break O’Day Council announced their chosen contractor for the project.
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The council announced Tuesday that World Trail had been appointed to the project, estimated to cost about $4.5 million.
New trails, at St Helens and the Bay Of Fires, will add to World Trail’s existing 85 kilometres in the North-East at Derby.
Mayor Mick Tucker said the council was looking forward to working with the company after councillors signed off on the appointment at their October meeting.
“If their previous track record is anything to go by, we can expect some world class, quality trails that make use of the natural terrain,” he said.
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Break O’Day Council will now appoint a brand and marketing specialist, with the aim to start construction by early next year.
World Trail director Glen Jacobs was thrilled for the opportunity and potential of both trail projects.
“There is no doubt that what St Helens offers is something unique and special,” he said.
“Not only does the area offer beautiful beaches and an idyllic location, it also has the infrastructure to support a real mountain bike mecca of Tasmania.
“This really is going to be one of the most exciting projects we have worked on to date and we are grateful for the opportunity to play our part in what will be some of the best trails in Tasmania if not the southern hemisphere.”
The new trail network is expected to return more than $18 million annually to the region.
About 166 jobs are also expected to be created by the project, which received $1.35 million in funding through a federal government regional jobs and investment package.
Tenders were announced in July with an assessment of those then undertaken by the West Tamar Council as an independent body.
Break O’Day Council discussed the applications at their September meeting, where they were recommended for approval with conditions included road signage being installed as detailed in a traffic impact assessment, warning signage to be added for cyclists on road crossing approaches at Gardens Road and Ansons Road, a soil and water management plan to be submitted, and a phytophthora bike washing station be installed.
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