Mountain Bike Recreation, Tourism and Event Development PERTH & PEEL MOUNTAIN BIKE MASTER PLAN WEST AUSTRALIAN MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION PERTH & PEEL MOUNTAIN BIKE MASTER PLAN Prepared by Common Ground Trails Pty Ltd for WestCycle Inc [email protected] www.westcycle.org.au FUNDED AND SUPPORTED BY Lotterywest Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC), formerly Department of Sport and Recreation Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), formerly Department of Parks and Wildlife West Australian Mountain Bike Association (WAMBA) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors of this Perth & Peel Mountain Bike Master Plan respectfully acknowledge that this land on which we live and work is Noongar country, and that the Noongar people are the traditional custodians who have a rich social, spiritual and historical connection to this country, which is as strong today, as it was in the past. Common Ground Trails wishes to acknowledge the significant contribution of the project steering committee as well as the valuable input from Perth & Peel mountain bike bodies, stakeholders, organisation representatives, users and individuals. PHOTOGRAPHY: Carl Fox, Eerik Sandstrom, Louise Fox, Kelly Doye, Sean Lee and Travis Deane. DISCLAIMER Common Ground Trails Pty Ltd, its employees, directors and associated entities shall not be liable for any loss, damage, claim, costs, demands and expenses for any damage or injury of any kind whatsoever and howsoever arriving in connection with the use of this Master Plan or in connection with activities undertaken in mountain biking generally. While all due care and consideration has been undertaken in the preparation of this report, Common Ground Trails Pty Ltd advise that all recommendations, actions and information provided in this document is based upon research as referenced in this document. Common Ground Trails Pty Ltd and its employees are not qualified to provide legal, medical or financial advice. Accordingly, detailed information in this regard will require additional professional consultation in order to adequately manage and maintain the facilities and reduce risk. WEST AUSTRALIAN MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION 2 Perth and Peel Mountain Bike Master Plan Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 2. INTRODUCTION 8 Planning Context 8 Project Area 9 3. CONSULTATION 13 Steering Committee Liaison 13 Stakeholder Consultation 13 User Group Consultation 15 4. DEVELOPMENT 16 Significance Hierarchy 16 Trail Models 18 Market Motivators & Needs 22 Trail User Types & Markets 22 Trail Types 23 Trail Classifications 23 5. ANALYSIS 26 Participation & Demand 26 Product Supply 30 6. PRIORITY LOCATIONS 38 Multi-Criteria Analysis 38 MCA Outcomes 38 Location Detail 41 7. RECOMMENDATIONS 94 Trail Delivery, Timing & Phases 94 Governance & Management 96 Sustainable Event Development 98 Promotion Development 99 REFERENCES & ACRONYMS 100 APPENDIX 102 Project Brief & Methodology 102 General Trail Planning Principles 102 MCA Framework 104 Case Studies 106 Product Supply 112 Perth and Peel Mountain Bike Master Plan 3 PERTH & PEEL MOUNTAIN BIKE MASTEREXECUTIVE PLAN SUMMARY The Perth and Peel Mountain Bike Master Plan (PPMP) has been The PPMP supports the key objectives of the Western Australian developed to guide future strategic investment in mountain bike Mountain Bike Strategy (WestCycle, 2015) (State Strategy) to recreation, tourism and event development across the combined develop a statewide network of sustainable trails, facilities and Perth Metropolitan (Perth) and Peel regions of Western Australia associated infrastructure; to raise the recreational and tourism (WA). profile of Western Australian mountain biking; and to develop a diverse revenue stream to ensure economic sustainability. The PPMP reflects the aspirations of a number of key stakeholders The State Strategy was endorsed and partly funded by the WA and the Western Australian mountain biking community for the State Government in 2015. Metropolitan Perth and Peel regions to become an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable international mountain DELIVERY OF SUSTAINABLE, HIGH QUALITY biking destination. MOUNTAIN BIKE FACILITIES Historically, community-led development of mountain bike trails has catered for the more extreme cohort of riders, resulting in a 575KM OF PURPOSE-BUILT MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS perceived image of the typical mountain biker. With the growth PROPOSED ACROSS 24 SITES in popularity of mountain biking in recent years, the demand for This master plan proposes the existing trail network of around more trails and greater diversity in styles has led to further trail 125km across nine sites to be expanded to create an international development. To date, there has not been a strategic, well planned mountain biking destination that: development process, which has the potential to negatively impact • Is highly accessible to most metropolitan population centres the environment in the long term. The majority of mountain bike • Caters for growing demand caused by an increase in the riders value and respect the environment, and the efforts required popularity of mountain biking in the Perth and Peel regions to build and maintain trails. Many riders volunteer their time to contribute to their local trails through advocacy groups and clubs. • Ensures high quality infrastructure and facilities The community and land managers have formed good working • Encourages user groups away from using and further relationships, which has assisted with educating new riders, land developing unsanctioned trails which create environmental, owners and managers, local governments and other stakeholders, social and management issues and demonstrating that mountain biking can be developed sustainably and responsibly to enhance the environment. NATIONALLY AND REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT MOUNTAIN BIKE DESTINATIONS FOR PERTH RIDERS The PPMP provides direction for key stakeholders and agencies to This master plan proposes development of a diverse mix of trail develop facilities of varying scales that cater for a diverse range types in a range of reserves, prioritising: of rider types in appropriate locations. Proposed priority locations • The Perth Hills, to host a mountain bike precinct of at least across the Perth and Peel regions are shown in Figure 1. 120km of high quality, cohesive and accessible recreational mountain biking trails. This master plan was developed in partnership with key land managers, community groups, tourism agencies, by assessing the • The addition of 80km of all mountain, cross country, gravity existing supply of trails and infrastructure, events, tourism and and touring trails, transforming Dwellingup into a trail town. commercial products, governance, management and promotion • The creation of Western Australia's premier international of mountain biking in WA. Development models and processes mountain bike events facility in Wungong Regional Park, derived from world's best practice in international mountain biking with 80km of accessible trails, including gravity, downhill and destinations will provide a clear framework to guide actions and shuttle uplift services. responsibilities of key agencies. • The potential to establish a number of trail centres in the locations of Perth Hills Precinct, Dwellingup, Wungong, Swan 4 Executive Summary 1 This will: Executive Summary MAJOR IDENTIFIED GAPS • Provide opportunities to establish and grow businesses that ¾ Less than 9% of residents have good access (less than complement mountain biking activities 15 minutes driving time) to purpose-built mountain bike • Encourage public and private investment in trails and trails associated facilities • Diversify trail development and management to include ¾ No locations meet the requirements of national or public-private partnerships regional significance ¾ Over 120km of unsanctioned trails are actively used in TOURISM & PROMOTION OF MOUNTAIN the Perth Hills BIKING ¾ Only one formal location (Kalamunda) provides enough WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MOUNTAIN BIKING BRAND trail to cater for a mountain bikers desired ride length Mountain biking is already recognised as a major contributor to the Peel region's 'Anytime Adventures' branding. The plan recommends ¾ The high majority of trail is on DBCA managed estate the establishment of a recognisable Western Australian mountain biking brand, which metro and regional tourism organisations can ¾ Over 90% of people drive a car to go ride their mountain use to: bike • Increase awareness of opportunities to target local, domestic ¾ There are no permanent facilities that cater for events and international visitor markets • Develop the regions as a premier mountain bike tourism ¾ Very limited commercial investment or business destination to meet the growing demand for adventure involvement in trails tourism experiences ¾ Currently no tangible and marketable mountain bike product exists GOVERNANCE & SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT Valley and Yanchep, providing dedicated on site services and PERTH PEEL REFERENCE GROUP visitor information and at least 30km of quality mountain bike A simple, streamlined governance structure is recommended that trails at each location. The exact locations of trail centres will brings together representatives and stakeholders from relevant be determined in further stages of planning. organisations that will: • Development of Jarrahdale as a regionally significant • Ensure all key stakeholders work in partnership with clear roles mountain bike trail town with at least 30km of mountain