Ceremony marks official construction start on final two stages of Narooma Mountain Bike Hub

The Narooma Mountain Bike Hub, a brainchild of the Narooma Mountain Bike Club, was marked with a special ceremony on Monday, April 4, to signify the start of construction on Stages 2 and 3 of the project.

Stage 1 of the project was completed in November, 2019, and saw more than 30 kilometres of trails hand built by members of the mountain bike club.

Since then, the club has received almost $4 million in funding to complete Stages 2 and 3 which will expand on the already existing trails in the State Forest.

Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain, Councillor Rob Pollock, Narooma Mountain Bike Club president Georgie Staley, and representatives from Forestry NSW and DirtArt were on hand for the ceremony near the corner of Mitchells Ridge Road and the Princes Highway.

The ceremony began with a traditional Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, and was hosted by former councillor Lindsay Brown.

Ms Staley said it had been an "exciting, challenging, and rewarding road" to get the project up and running.

"The Narooma Mountain Bike Club has worked hard to achieve this dream, and we're super stoked that it's now becoming a reality," she said.

"We could not have got here without the help of Forestry Corporation, Kristy McBain, and the State Government.

"I can only say their faith in us will be justified by helping us build this amazing facility which will not only benefit the local community as an outlet for exercise, health, and well-being, but also deliver a strategic tourism development.

"Coupled with the other trails in the area, this will give the Far South Coast a sound future of year-round tourism."

Ms McBain said she hoped the Far South Coast would become a 'mountain biking hub' in Australia.

"All across Eden-Monaro towns are benefiting from mountain bike tourism as this sport continues to grow and more visitors come to our region," she said.

"I was thrilled to support the Narooma Mountain Bike Club's application for funding because I know the long-term economic benefit these mountain bike tracks will bring to Narooma.

"With fantastic mountain bike tracks across our region, when these works are complete next year we have the opportunity for the South Coast and Snowies to become a real mountain biking destination which will be a huge help in attracting people to our piece of paradise during off-peak periods."

Ms McBain also announced a grant to help build a block of toilets at the head of the Mountain Bike Hub.

Dirt Art were appointed as the contractors to design the trails through the forest back in December.

"Engagement with the Indigenous community is vitally important to our company, and to the success of trail projects such as this one," Dirt Art director Simon French said.

"It is a pleasure for us to attend this ceremony prior to embarking on what is an exciting project for our team."

Natural Trails and Blue Sky Trails are the project managers who will provide on-ground superintendent duties, and help the club comply with all requirements of the funding deed.

"It's great to see investment going into projects that will supercharge the economy of Narooma and the southeast coast of NSW," Blue Sky Trails director, Craig Meinicke, said.

"The trail network being built will be unique, world class, and will appeal to a large cross section of the riding community."