Newsroom

Tassie Bike News Bites
Meehan Range make-over out for public comment

Dirt Art has released its concept plan for the Meehan Range Mountain Bike Park, with a bigger car park, a new access road, a building that will house bike hire, shop and cafe, new trails and shuttle uplift at the core.

The new trails include three green-rated trails, six blue trails and one black diamond. The shuttle would be available for bike riders and walkers to get to the top of the trails via a gravel road using existing fire trails and section of new road.

The company will now do more consultation on the concept plan with drop-in sessions to be announced and a short online survey now open

Huonville to Franklin path in the works

Huonville Council is looking at building a shared path between Huonville and Franklin along the western bank of the Huon River and want to know what you think.

The 7.5 km path would start at the Huonville Foreshore and end at the playground in Franklin and users could include people walking, riding, fishing and kayaking.

You can fill out the online survey before 10 February and attend the community workshop at the Palais Theatre in Franklin at 6 pm on Tuesday 18 February. To RSVP to the workshop email hvc@huonvalley.tas.gov.au.

 Wellington Park embarks on visitor strategy

A new visitor and recreation strategy for Wellington Park is being developed and the writers want to know:

- What do you love about visiting kunanyi / Mount Wellington – and Wellington Park generally?
- What would improve your experience of this place?

The plan will use comments from the recent City of Hobart mountain bike surveys but if you have other ideas for mountain biking or road riding, here's your chance to put them forward.

An online survey is available until April this year and people or groups with a special interest in the mountain can register to be involved in more intensive consultation

Tasman Bridge works shuts one path until May

The state government has shut the northern pathway on the Tasman Bridge to undertake electrical upgrade works that will result in the gantries which currently jut into the path being pushed back flush with the fence.

Once the northern path is finished it will be reopened and they will undertake the same work on the southern path, with work scheduled to finish in May 2020.

These closures will inevitably result in more congestion on the pathways so please be patient with other users.

The government has not yet announced how it plans to improve the pathways to make it easier for people walking and riding in the longer term.

It has set aside $14 million to improve the pathways and fencing, and designs were due to go to the Minister for Infrastructure at the end of 2019. https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/newsroom/2019/06/20/tasman-bridge-cycling-walking-14-m-budget/

DerbyFest set for next three years

A new mountain bike festival has been announced for Derby on 17–19 April, the first of a three year commitment.

DerbyFest will shut down the main street of Derby with food and live music and will include bike mechanic masterclasses and sessions with pro riders. 

Tickets are on sale now, with weekend passes costing $30 and children aged under 18 free and extra campsites at $15 a night. The festival is being organised by Dorset Council, the Tasmanian Government and Shimano.