27 May 2022
The start of construction of Stage 1 of the Eden Mountain Bike Hub project has been marked by a special ceremony held on Thursday, 26 May 2022 on the edge of Nullica State Forest.
The event began with a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony conducted by Traditional Owner, Uncle BJ Cruse and Twofold Aboriginal Corporation’s Nathan Lygon. Official guests included Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain and Bega Valley Shire Councillor Joy Robin.
Eden Mountain Bike Club President Stan Soroka said the event was a fitting way to demonstrate the important relationship between the Club, the traditional owners of the land and Forestry Corporation of NSW.
“We very much want to start out as we plan to continue, being respectful to this beautiful country and encouraging all those who visit and ride here to nurture the land and the new trails.”
Mr Soroka said the ceremony was an important step towards the realisation of a goal first conceived by a small group of community members passionate about Eden’s social and economic development.
“This is a significant milestone in achieving a vision for Eden aimed at broadening its economic base and reducing its reliance on seasonal tourism.
“Construction, ongoing maintenance, support services and expanded tourism infrastructure will create employment opportunities. Not only that, but the hub will be an important recreational asset, playing a part in building a stronger, healthier community for the future.”
He said, with progress on trail construction at Narooma and existing trails at Tathra, the Sapphire Coast was primed to become a serious mountain biking destination and the club was looking forward to welcoming new members.
“People are really excited about building a mountain biking culture up and down the coast. This is going to be an amazing contribution to Eden’s future and we can’t wait to see the trails take shape
“Our partnership with the NSW Forestry Corporation has been amazing and we could not have reached this critical milestone without their belief and support,” Mr Soroka said.
Brendan Grimson, Partnership Leader Forestry Corporation NSW attended and said: “Forestry Corporation of NSW is a proud supporter of this exciting project which will deliver strong health and wellbeing benefits to the local community all within the amazing setting of Nullica State Forest.
“The positive physical and mental health benefits that will be an outcome of this project are a key feature which cannot be overstated.”
“The project managers from Natural Trails and Blue Sky Trails, working in conjunction with the Eden MTB Club, have gone to great lengths to make sure this project considers existing forest users as well as members of the local community generally.
“The location of trails and key infrastructure has been designed based on community feedback on the most suitable location. The highly passionate and hardworking club has been instrumental in the trail network’s success to date.”
Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said she was thrilled to attend the launch of the construction phase of the Eden Mountain Bike hub.
“Mountain bike tourism is flourishing across Eden-Monaro as this sport continues to grow and more visitors come to our region,” Ms McBain said.
“I was so pleased to support the Eden Mountain Bike Club’s application for funding because I know the long-term economic, social and health benefits these mountain bike trails will bring to the Eden area.
“We have the opportunity for the Far South Coast and Snowies to become a real mountain biking destination, as several fantastic mountain bike trails come online across the region in the next six months or so.
“This will prove a huge help in attracting people to our piece of paradise during off-peak periods.”
Contour Works was appointed in late April to construct the trails which were designed by World Trail.
Contour Works Director, Ryan De La Rue said the ceremony was a great way for his crew to connect with the area and its people before work begins.
“It was wonderful to be able to come together with the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council to witness the smoking ceremony and create a connection to the land we will be working on.”
Mr De La Rue said work over the next few months will focus construction of beginner trails around the trailhead and easier descending trails.
Natural Trails and Blue Sky Trails are the project managers who will see the construction through to completion providing on-ground superintendent duties, and ensuring compliance with all requirements of the funding deed.
Eden Community Access Centre (ECAC) and the Eden Trails Group, comprising members of the Eden Mountain Bike Club is the community-based project team responsible for the vision and strategic direction of the project.
The project is funded by the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund which is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Direct Media enquiries and comments to
Eden Community Access Centre Inc
Email MTBproject@eden.nsw.au
Photographs: Local trail builders Creative Lines will be sub-contracting to Contour Works on the trail construction. Director Yully Forest is pictured with wife Erin and daughter Kora during the Smoking Ceremony performed by Twofold Aboriginal Corporation’s Nathan Lygon.