Yarra Ranges Council has welcomed a decision by the Victorian Minister for Planning to allow the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination (WMBD) project to proceed following an extensive Environment Effects Statement (EES) process.
In reaching her final decision, Minister Lizzie Blandthorn approved the majority of the proposal, but removed a signature trail proposed in the National Park, Council said today.
“While this is a small length of the trail network relative to the entire project, Council needs to review the decision in greater detail to better understand the implications of this amendment to the project,” the Council said in a statement.
“That said, Council remains confident the project as approved will meet its objectives of becoming a world class mountain bike destination, providing ongoing economic stability to the region and generating hundreds of jobs for the community.”
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, said it was an exciting time for the Yarra Ranges following the announcement.
“We are really pleased to now have a response and a way forward for the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination and know this will be welcomed by our community,” he said.
“Whilst we still need to take the time to review the full detail of the decision and the panel assessment report and take into consideration the amendments to the overall project, we understand the importance of compromise to ensure this exciting project can move forward.
“Not only is the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination designed to deliver a world class mountain biking destination, but it will help revitalise the region and deliver significant social and economic benefits to Warburton directly.”
Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, together with the Yarra Valley Trail and ‘ngurrak barring’ Ridgewalk in the Dandenongs, is part of Council’s Ridges and Rivers project, a $30 million investment funded between Federal and State Governments, Council, and Bendigo Bank (Warburton and Yarra Junction).
Mayor Child said the three trail-based projects will help position the Yarra Ranges as a world-class trail based tourism destination and provide a significant social and economic boost to the region.
Visit https://www.rideyarraranges.com.au/ to keep up to date with the progress of the WMBD project.
