Kempsey’s mountain bike trails hit the pedal on major upgrade
Published on 12 July 2023
Kempsey will soon boast some of the best enduro mountain bike trails in the state after work commenced on an upgrade of Kalateenee Mountain Bike Park.
Work has commenced on the upgrade of five enduro mountain bike trails at Kalateenee Mountain Bike Park, located in the state forest south of Kempsey. The upgrade is estimated to take a few months with fencing in place around the site during that time.
Kempsey Shire Council has received a $301,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Places to Play grant to fund the upgrade, which was supported by The Macleay Valley Mountain Bikers.
Kylie Stewart, President of Macleay Valley Mountain Bikers thanked the state government for the funds and Council for helping to deliver it.
“The Places to Play grant is a great win for the community,” said Ms Stewart.
“Mountain biking is a hugely popular sport and that enthusiasm is increasing very quickly. Our Kalateenee Mountain Bike Park has 30km of trails and this upgrade will give us a venue that will attract visitors to the area from all over the country.”
The club are planning a launch event when this and two parallel projects, to develop a car park and toilets, are completed.
Craig Milburn, General Manager Kempsey Shire Council, said he was delighted Council was delivering this important community project.
“These trails will have a huge benefit not just for the club and members but also town and the shire,” said Mr Milburn.
“I am a firm believer that we work better together, and this is a perfect example of Council working with a great community group to deliver a win for the whole shire.”
Places to Play grant funding supports access to innovative adventure, water and nature playspaces for people of all ages and abilities across NSW.
Michael Kemp, Member for Oxley, described these upgrades as the perfect example of what the Places to Play Program is all about.
"The upgrades will not only enhance the existing enduro trails but also improve adaptive trails, providing increased opportunities for people to have fun and engage in recreational activities," said Mr Kemp.
“The completion of this project will result in a fantastic public space, better recreational options, and more places where people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can come together, enjoy the outdoors, and have fun. Exercise promotes happiness, and I have no doubt that this project will significantly contribute to the well-being of the Kempsey Shire community.”
For more information on the upgrade of the Kalateenee Mountain Bike Park trails head to mvmb.org.au
Places to Play is connecting people to water in places that need it the most, creating better access to get in, on and around inland waterways across NSW through a $16.7 million commitment to high quality open space.
Together with the NSW Government, Kempsey Shire Council is delivering infrastructure that is essential for communities, increasing access to water for recreation across the state.
The NSW Government is contributing $301,600 to the Kalateenee Forest Mountain Bike Enduro upgrade. For more information about the Places to Play program, visit planning.nsw.gov.au/openspace