Stepping into a new trail project is an exciting and daunting challenge for any club or land manager. There can be over-reliance on key club members leading to burn-out, or simply not the trail-related skills and expertise within an organisation. Trail projects require a different approach, skills, and considerations to traditional civil projects and risk delivering poor user experiences and poor project outcomes.
Blue Sky Trails were given the trust of Cycle Tumbarumba to project manage their vision in creating a $3.4M trail network on Mt Tumbarumba just on the outskirts of town. After months of hard work, we are delighted to see the trails officially open!
Mt Tumbarumba sets a benchmark for not only the quality of trail but the trail management, branding, and infrastructure that support this network and will underpin its ongoing success. Just wait until you see the clubhouse! It’s not the biggest network in Australia, but throughout this project the team have set out to deliver quality trail experiences. These were just some of the considerations our project managers navigated.
- Designing site access, carpark, and facility layouts on a difficult site
- Navigating biodiversity offset requirements to make the project possible
- Navigating approval and funding pathways with Council and Government
- Identifying ways to manage exposure to risk and reduce insurance premiums
- Assessing and developing operating and funding models, including membership and pay-to-play systems
- Developing a suite of signage for rider navigation, interpretation and recognition, and hazard and risk management
A huge thanks to everyone who played a role in making this happen—trail builders, volunteers, local supporters, and riders who have been eagerly waiting for this moment. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of this journey.
For more info on how the club raised funds, navigated the development applications and the amazing trails they have finished with check out the writeup on FlowMTB, or better yet, go and visit!
