Community Update - June 2024
While you’ve all been waiting patiently for trails to open up, we’ve been busy behind the scenes, working with land managers, First Nations Peoples and developing all the plans we need to ensure we protect the local landscape and culture. We’ve had some major tenders go out and excited to share where we are currently at with you!
Trail Builder Appointed!
Exciting news - Trailworx will be designing and building the Angry Bull Mountain Biking Trails in Tenterfield. Based out of Queensland, Trailworx are one of Australia’s leading creators of recreational trails, and they’ve built mountain biking trails in Mount Cotton, Tewantin State Forest, Uki MTB Park, and Caloundra Sugar Bag Road Trails. After visiting Tenterfield and seeing the local landscape, they’re pumped to work with us to build some epic trails.
We’re currently working with Trailworx on trail design in all zones (Bald Rock Adventure Trails, Basket Swamp Adventure Trails & Curry’s Gap State Conservation and Travelling Stock Route), and construction is expected to begin July 2024. We’re also working with them on ensuring local youth are employed and trained through our social enterprise.
Stay tuned - we’ll have some more info for you next update on the trail features!
LAND USAGE AGREEMENTS
First nations peoples
We’ve been in close discussions with the relevant Land Managers and First Nations Peoples, and are thrilled to have the support of Moombahlene Local Aboriginal Land Council and Ngullingah Jugun Aboriginal Corporation for trail development, environmental rehabilitation and our social enterprise.
We’ll be working closely with the First Nations Peoples to ensure areas of cultural importance are identified and protected, and will be collaborating to create education and employment opportunities for local youth, and providing support for new, and existing, First Nations business ventures.
Review of Environmental Factors
Following an extensive tender, we’re thrilled to announce that Birdwing Ecological Services have been appointed to complete the review of environmental factors. Based in Tenterfield, Dr Tom Pollard has worked on a wide range of projects and we’re grateful to have such local expertise working with us.
NEXT STEPS
Trail builders and traditional owners have begun walking the trails. Following the Review of Environmental Factors and Cultural and Heritage Reviews, we will be developing plans of management for cultural heritage and flora and fauna, to ensure we are protecting any areas we are working in. We will then be working with the land managers (NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services, Forestry Corporation NSW & Crown Lands) to finalise the land usage agreements. We are hoping to finalise these by July 2024.
Trail Centre @ 306 Rouse Street
Following an extensive tender process and review of 4 submissions, 306 Rouse Street was deemed the most suitable for the Trail Centre. Centrally located, and within biking distance of most accommodation, the build will re-activate a heritage building and aims to be a riding and community hub. Featuring visitor information, retail sales, cafe & restaurant (aka coffee & beer), shuttle services and end of trip facilities, including lockers, change rooms, toilets and showers.
One of the most exciting parts of the Trail Centre is that it will be completely accessible (as will the trail head infrastructure, and 60% of the trails), so anyone using any mobility aid or adaptive bike will be easily able to access all of Angry Bull Trails’ facilities.
Gall Architects have been appointed for the Trail Centre design, and the Development Application has been approved by Tenterfield Shire Council.
ABT Offices
We’re excited to be opening our site offices soon at 316 Rouse Street (next door to the Trail Centre). We’re keen to hold regular community update sessions from August, so watch this space for more information and updates!
Merch
We’ve still got a wide range of merch available, including beanies, hoodies, t-shirts, caps, bucket hats, water bottles, stubbie coolers and keep cups (great for hot or cold drinks)! Check out the range in our shop!
Social Enterprise - Education, Training & PARTNERS
We are currently focused on securing operational funding for the social enterprise and developing our social enterprise business plan. Stay tuned, we’ll have some more info in this space soon!
If you’d like to help us out with our mission, and help us ensure a lasting legacy for Tenterfield and the wider region: