Case Studies
MTB Masterplan
Design Feature
Type of Project
Masterplan
State
Northern Territory
Location
Regional
The Masterplan for Mountain Biking in The Northern Territory has been developed to guide investment in and development of sustainable world class mountain biking opportunities in the Northern Territory. The Masterplan was developed collaboratively by Northern Territory Government agencies, land managers, the tourism industry and community groups. It sets out an integrated approach for developing mountain biking by public and private partners. The Masterplan was instigated and managed by Tourism NT and was released in January 2016.
The Masterplan covers the whole of the Northern Territory, and will seek to establish Alice Springs as a leading world class hub for mountain biking with a range of trails, experiences and events suited to local, national and international markets. The plan also anticipates a number of quality trails in local Northern Territory communities to encourage local participation, employment and health benefits.
The Masterplan covers the whole of the Northern Territory, and will seek to establish Alice Springs as a leading world class hub for mountain biking with a range of trails, experiences and events suited to local, national and international markets. The plan also anticipates a number of quality trails in local Northern Territory communities to encourage local participation, employment and health benefits.
Ride your way
This project was initiated as a result of analysis of market trends in the adventure market across Australia and Internationally. Mountain biking is a growing market, both for the more advanced downhill market and the untapped family friendly multi-day mountain biking experience. The Northern Territory is renowned for its adventure activity events, and the mountain biking market is actively pursuing the Northern Territory as a destination for mountain biking event opportunities.
The Masterplan will support the integration of an accessible and connected movement network that offers interlinked riding opportunities and encourages positive health behaviours. Furthermore, the plan will reinforce a connection with the Northern Territory environment, generating and supporting a strong sense of place for the community.
The Masterplan has detailed 75 actions to be implemented over the next 5-10 years. All actions are monitored on a regular basis by a Mountain Biking Reference Group specifically established to work with Government during the implementation phase of the project.
Project team
- Destination Development team of Tourism NT
- Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory.
- TRC Tourism
- EarthCheck
- ediacara to
- Tourism Top End
- Tourism Central Australia
- Department of Lands and Planning
- Department of Sport & Recreation
- Community and corporate sector stakeholders
Project Cost
$80,000
Health Value
- The Masterplan supports the implementation of a project that will encourage engagement in physical activity, which has known physical, mental and social benefits.
Economic value
- Nationally, cycling on holidays has seen a 7% per annum growth since 2011. The Northern Territory currently has a growth rate for cycling of 4%, indicating that appropriate marketing and experience development is required to increase mountain biking visitation in the Northern Territory above the national average of 7% per annum. This Masterplan responds to those indicators of gaps in product and marketing.
- Mountain biking accounts for 74% of the “cycling” market in the Northern Territory. The current value to the Northern Territory of mountain biking has been estimated at $45m in 2016 and predicted to grow to $67m by 2020.
- Implementation of the Masterplan has the potential for employment and new business enterprises for aboriginal communities through track construction, and maintenance work.
- Additional visitors to a destination results in additional expenditure which also supports local jobs and businesses.
Environmental Value
- Implementation of the Masterplan ensures that existing uncontrolled development of ad hoc mountain biking trails is minimised through the construction of purpose built trails according to international standards. Ad hoc trails cause severe environmental degradation in sensitive landscapes.
- Involvement in mountain biking offers an opportunity to land managers for interpretive signs and handouts pertaining to the environment a person is riding through. Understanding of environmental values is a key way of environmental protection through knowledge.
Social value
- A mountain biking facility provides a destination for community connection and social engagement.
Use value
- Implementation of this Masterplan will increase the availability of mountain biking experiences across the Northern Territory. This will include further development of Alice Springs mountain biking opportunities to ensure that it becomes the Northern Territory’s iconic mountain biking hub. It will also include the development of “Distinctive Rides” which will be world class adventure rides in the Northern Territory’s iconic landscape. Currently a four to five day overnight mountain biking trail between Alice Springs and Glen Helen Resort in the West MacDonnell Ranges is in planning stage and will be implemented when resources are available.
- Other mountain biking destinations (including Darwin, Kakadu National Park, between Katherine and Nitmiluk National Park and Tennant Creek) will be developed as resources become available.
- Community mountain biking events will continue to be encouraged across the Northern Territory to encourage people to be involved in mountain biking - either in a passive manner or through organised club activities.
- Aboriginal people will also be encouraged to participate in mountain bike riding through programs (including provision of bikes) in schools and communities.
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