Hepburn Shire Council has announced it will open 32 kilometres of Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails) five months ahead of schedule.
When completed, the trail will be a 60 kilometre network of mountain bike trails starting from the Hammon Park Trailhead – a five minute walk from the centre of Creswick. Djuwang Baring means ‘long track’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language.
Mayor, Brian Hood, said the early opening was a significant milestone for the transformational project.
“We are very proud of our construction contractor Dirt Art and the Council team for getting this project to the point where we can open 32 kilometres of trails five months before the scheduled opening date of December 2024,” he said.
“Djuwang Baring will be a unique asset for our local community. It will have a strong positive impact on tourism, visitation and in turn, provide strong returns to local and regional businesses and tourism destinations.”
Since receiving external funding in 2018, the project has made steady progress towards completion. Funding for Hammon Park and Djuwang Baring has been provided by the State Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund ($4.66 million) and Creswick Community Bank ($250,000 for Hammon Park) with Council funding the remainder.
Planning and design for the network was completed with the issue of the construction planning permit in early 2022. The Hammon Park pump track was opened in 2019, Hammon Park Trailhead in mid-2023 and construction commenced on trails in early 2023 with a projected completion date of December 2024.
Djuwang Baring is managed and maintained by Hepburn Shire Council.
“Progress towards completion has been steady and we are pleased to announce this early opening. Council has worked hard to fast-track part of the trails network so that we can realise the tourism and visitation benefits to the region earlier than anticipated,” said Mayor Hood.
Council is also celebrating the partnership with the Traditional Owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung and acknowledges that the trails are located on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
This project has been instrumental in strengthening the relationship between Hepburn Shire Council and DJAARA with the name for the whole trail network as well as half of the trail segments in Dja Dja Wurrung language, said Mayor Hood.
The branding and signage suite has been designed by DJANDAK and features art by Nukara Nicholls-Moore, a Djaara artist.
“Sharing Dja Dja Wurrung creativity and language and seeing it on Country, in the landscape where it belongs, benefits Djaara People and the wider community” said Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation Group CEO Rodney Carter.
“It’s wonderful people can access part of Djuwang Baring ahead of schedule.”
A formal community celebration will be held in December 2024 when the full trail network will be officially opened.
