Pwakkenbak Trails Park mountain biking vision to become a reality for Mt Barker

Construction of a mountain bike trails hub in Mt Barker is set to start this winter, with up to 10km of trails planned for Tower Hill.

The project is is a partnership between the Shire of Plantagenet and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, with detailed design and construction expected to start in the coming weeks.

Up to 10km of single-track cross country and downhill mountain bike trails are planned for the Pwakkenbak Trails Park project.

The trails will be suitable for a range of cyclists and bicycles, including adaptive and electric bikes.

A separate walking trail will also be created to provide improved pedestrian access to the Tower Hill lookout, with viewing points and interpretive panels along the track.

The Shire has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with DBCA to create the trails at Tower Hill, which is crown land.

Shire president Chris Pavlovich said the council was “excited” to partner with DBCA, which would partly fund the completion of the project.

“In addition to the social and active recreational benefit to the local community, these trails represent a potential game-changer for the local visitor services economy,” he said.

“They have been designed to be capable of hosting regional events, bringing competitors and spectators to stay in the area.

“A number of ecological assessments have been carried out at the reserve, and we have been privileged to have local Noongar elders as project partners during the planning stages.

“The trails will be developed to DBCA’s best practice standard, ensuring that they are a sustainable asset that will preserve ecological and heritage values.”

Mr Pavlovich said the council had been lobbied by “quite a number of cyclists in the region” to develop downhill mountain biking trails, with some attending a council meeting earlier this year.

“The council had about 30 cyclists, including children, come to our council meeting several months ago saying ‘we’re really keen to get involved in this sport locally’ and also be part of the triad between Denmark, Albany and Mt Barker for the cycling clubs,” he said.

Mr Pavlovich said the trails project would now go out to tender and he hoped to see it enter the next phase as soon as possible.

“We certainly hope to have them finished by the end of this calendar year,” he said.