Katter swaps Akubra for bike helmet in push for Atherton trail expansion
KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter, joined by Hill MP Shane Knuth, Tablelands Mayor Rod Marti, and Tablelands Cycle Sports President David Prete, has called on state and federal governments to commit funding for crucial pre-works assessments on stage two of the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park (AFMBP).
Mr Katter emphasised the park's expansion would be vital for the economic prosperity of the Tablelands region and the broader Far North.
"This is a region that pumps out sugarcane, avocados, bananas, coffee and more for the rest of the country – really, it's the food bowl of the north – and what do we ask in return? Just a small investment in infrastructure that brings people here, keeps locals active, and gives people something to do besides staring at a screen."
Stage one of the AFMBP, delivered in 2013, was a collaborative effort involving Tablelands Cycle Sports (TCS), Tablelands Regional Council (TRC), Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and First Australians representatives. The trail network now spans approximately 55 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails designed and constructed by World Trail .
Stage two aims to add over 50 kilometres of internationally benchmarked trails, positioning the AFMBP on the national and global map for mountain biking destinations.
"These trails will be inclusive, world-class, and profitable," Mr Katter said.
"They'll get kids off the couch, tourists out of the airport, and dollars flowing into the Far North."
The existing trails meet almost all the criteria required for international trail recognition under World Trail benchmarking, including airport proximity, accommodation, and a natural landscape. The primary enhancement needed is increased trail density, which this expansion seeks to address.
"David and the team at Tablelands Cycle Sports have done the hard yards for over a decade. And I really must acknowledge the work they've done to get this project to where it is today. They've maintained the trails, raised the flag, and pushed all three levels of government to take this seriously," Mr Katter said.
"This isn't just about Atherton – better trails here mean a better chance for other northern towns like Cardwell and Mission Beach to increase the quality and quantity of their trails and capitalise on the momentum we are seeing elsewhere."
KAP State Member for Hill, Shane Knuth, expressed his longstanding support for the AFMBP and urged all levels of government to collaborate on funding stage two.
"I met with the Minister for Tourism recently and outlined how important this project is," he said.
"Mountain biking is a rapidly growing sport and so is the adventure tourism market worldwide.
"We have already seen Derby in Tasmania take advantage of this through significant government investment, which has paid off with an incredible increase in visitation numbers.
"The Atherton Tablelands is perfectly placed to take a big chunk of this market and become a world-class destination not only for tourism but as a training base for international competitors for the 2032 Olympics.
David Prete, founding President of Tablelands Cycle Sports, highlighted the potential of mountain biking for the region.
"Tasmania got in early – they saw the opportunity[1]. Derby now attracts 60,000 plus visitors a year, and Whistler in Canada makes more money in the biking season than the ski season," Mr Prete explained.
"Mountain bikers are high-value visitors – they stay longer, they spend more, and they come back[2]. This is a game-changer for Far North Queensland."
A completed business case indicates the project would return $4 for every dollar invested and generate nearly $70 million for the regional economy over the next decade.
"All we're asking for is funding to do the groundwork," Mr Katter said. "Stage one was a joint effort between Council, State, and Federal Governments – and it'll take the same kind of commitment again to make stage two a reality.
"This is a golden opportunity to secure the Far North's future. So Canberra – saddle up and back it in."
ENDS
[2] www.tourismtasmania.com.au/siteassets/documents/ttas-ua-mtb-enthusiast-profile.pdf
