Work has started on stage one of the new mountain bike trail complex at remote Omeo in Victoria’s Alpine east.
The first 57km of track is expected to be completed by the end of next year, with the first trails open by March.
Stage two—which adds another 64km of trails—has now won a $3.2m grant which will bring the total network to 121km, enough to enable the staging of officially sanctioned national events.
The Victorian Government says the complex will transform the small East Gippsland town into an international mountain bike destination.
Stage one, which is backed by $1m in state funding, includes cross-country and downhill tracks of varying difficulty ranging from beginners through to experienced mountain bikers.
"Once complete, the trail project is set to capture nationwide demand for outdoor adventure, winding through Mount Sam State Forest and the Oriental Claims Historic Area parkland,” the announcement said.
"The project will boost Omeo’s reputation as an all-year-round tourism destination."
The first stage includes:
- 57 kilometres of cross-country and downhill gravity trails Switchback climbs for over 500m up nearby Mt Mesley
- An easy loop trail parallel to the Great Alpine Road that leads to the Historical Oriental Claims area.
- A descending trail of over 500 vertical metres from the summit of Mt Sam linking to Mt Mesley and finishing in Livingstone Park
The Omeo Mountain Bike Trails project will create 17 full time construction jobs across both stages. Once completed, the trails will create 20 new full-time jobs in the first year.
The Government’s funding is provided through the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund and the Regional Tourism Investment Fund, with support from East Gippsland Shire Council and the Commonwealth Government.
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green said: “This project puts Omeo on the world map as an internationally recognised destination for mountain biking and means more people will be able to discover and enjoy this beautiful part of East Gippsland.”
East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Mark Reeves said: “The start of stage one works is what we’ve all been waiting for".
"The sky’s the limit for cycle-tourism in the Omeo region and further funding for stage two will ramp up enthusiasm locally and further afield.”
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