Cycle tracks offer $15m bonanza for state's North-East

A CHAIN of bike tracks in the North-East will inject $15.7 million into the region's economy.

A CHAIN of world-class mountain bike tracks in the North-East, promising to attract riders from across the world, is projected to inject $15.7 million into the region's economy and create 94 jobs after five years of operation.

Construction on the first 20km of the North East Mountain Bike Project will begin next month at Hollybank Forest Reserve near Launceston.

It will use concepts developed by international trail expert Joey Klein and local trail designer Rob Potter and is to be built by trail-making firm Dirt Art.

Tourism Northern Tasmania chief executive Chris Griffin said the tracks would be a massive draw for two-wheeled tourists, traditionally a high-yielding sector, and would encourage visitors to stay longer in the region.

"The 20km of custom mountain bike trails being built at Hollybank is the first phase of the North East Mountain Bike Project, which will see just over 90km of trail opened progressively from April next year through to summer 2015,"MrGriffin said.

"Following Hollybank will be trails built at Derby and also the Blue Tier between Derby and St Helens.

"The collective impact of these trails has the potential to reinvigorate the tourism industry of the North-East by attracting new visitors to the region – those who prefer to travel on two wheels."

An economic assessment of the trail has projected it could attract up to 16,000 visitors a year and generate up to $15.7 million over its first five years as a result of increased tourism activity.

Lilydale Larder and Leaning Church Vineyard owner Sarah Hirst is excited about the economic prospects of the Hollybank Forest Reserve and other projects.

"This will create badly needed jobs as well as bring more tourists and locals to our region to experience the fabulous food, wine and tourism attractions that we have in the North-East of the state," she said.

Dirt Art intends to be on the ground from January 6 and the project is expected to take six months to complete.

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