The McGowan Government will deliver the $10 million Collie Adventure Trails initiative to establish Collie as Western Australia's premier 'trail adventure town' to attract local, national and international mountain bike and bushwalking tourists, and support the local economy.
The trails funding package will be included in the State Budget, with the centrepiece an iconic 65 kilometre 'epic' mountain bike trail network in the Wellington National Park. These trails will challenge all levels of cyclists and be a magnet for national and international cyclists and tourists.
The package will create 100 kilometres of high-quality mountain bike trails through the river valley between Wellington National Park and the town of Collie. It includes:
- 65km of world-class 'epic' trails in the Wellington National Park;
- 35km of trails in the Westralia Conservation Park on the outskirts of Collie;
- A further 11km of trail in Arklow forest block near Collie;
- The realignment of 20km of the Munda Biddi cycle trail through the town of Collie;
- Completion of the 72km, five-day Wiilman Bilya walk trail around Wellington Dam from Collie around the Wellington National Park; and
- Infrastructure investment to establish a trail centre in the Collie town centre and secondary trails hubs at Wellington Dam kiosk and Westralia (including a Collie river crossing).
The trails package is part of the McGowan Government's plans to continue to grow and diversify Collie's economy, create jobs across a range of industries and maintain a vibrant community.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Collie will become Western Australia's premier trail adventure town, and this $10 million commitment will see it become a world-class destination for mountain bike riders and bushwalkers.
"We expect visitors will come from all over WA and beyond to use these facilities. It will create jobs for locals and deliver a boost to the local economy.
"A key element of the plan is to ensure that the trails are focused around Collie, so that visitors stay in Collie and use the hospitality of the town. It is likely to generate significant opportunities in Collie for new hospitality and adventure-servicing businesses.
"Collie is already well known for its adventure camping, water skiing and outdoor activities, and my Government is keen to build on this reputation to create a hub for adventure sports."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray:
"Trails tourism has sparked economic development and created jobs in many small towns around the world, and this huge new investment presents a remarkable opportunity for Collie and surrounding areas.
"Trails tourists are always seeking unique and picturesque natural locations to mountain bike and hike, and this initiative puts Collie at the centre of WA's new, world-class series of trails.
"This commitment will present many opportunities for new and existing small businesses in Collie - with tourists exploring the trails by day, and heading back into town at night to stay in hotels and enjoy the offerings of local restaurants and pubs."
