Work has started on the development and rejuvenation of almost 21 kilometres of mountain bike and shared-use trails in the Araluen area of Alice Springs.
Department of Tourism and Culture, Executive Director of Parks, Wildlife and Heritage, Mark Ashley, said the trails will further establish Alice Springs as a mountain biking mecca.
“This $300,000 investment will include eight kilometres of new trail, and new trailheads near Flynn’s Grave at the start of Simpsons Gap Bike Path and on Lovegrove Drive,” Mr Ashley said.
“There will be something for riders of all skills and experience, including a dedicated loop of ‘green-circle/beginner’ classification, three new ‘blue-square/intermediate’ level trails, and a new ‘black-diamond/advanced’ rated trail.
“The trail works will link to the ‘West Macs’ track to the north, in turn linking the ‘West-Side’ trails to the established network on the Telegraph Station Reserve.
“The project is being delivered by new Alice Springs based trail company Tricky Tracks.
“Owners Willie Houtman and Beth Campbell have many years of trail building experience between them, having previously worked as sub-contractors on the Larapinta Trail and numerous other projects Australia-wide.
"They recently re-located to Alice Springs permanently from their native Tasmania to establish Tricky Tracks, the first dedicated trail construction business in the NT.
“The trails will complement the recently announced $12 million Turbocharging Tourism Red Centre Adventure Ride, a proposed 200 kilometre trail through the stunning Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park.”
The project will increase the total length of sign-posted trails in the town from about 24 kilometres to around 60 kilometres and will bring the tracks up to the sustainable trail standards of the International Mountain Biking Association, with completion expected in June 2018.
The Department of Tourism and Culture will be hosting a community information session about this project and upcoming mountain bike trail initiatives on Monday 26 March from 6pm until 8pm, at Andy McNeil Room, Alice Springs Civic Centre, 93 Todd Street, Alice Springs.
For information regarding this session please contact Senior Planner Martin Krieg on 89518209.
For media enquiries contact Department of Tourism and Culture Media Manager 0476844832.