Tracks & Trails 2008 Report

The 5^th Biennial Tracks and Trails Conference took place at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast from the 11^th – 14^th March 2008.  Including the pre-Conference workshops, there were approximately 240 delegates in attendance with representation from all Australian States and Territories, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States of America and France.  Delegates included:

·            Chief Executive Officers and/or staff of various state and national outdoor organisations 

·            Local and state government recreation planners and recreation officers

·            Recreation/Trails Planning Consultants

·            Natural Resource Managers

·            Government staff associated with Policy development

·            Commercial providers of trail-related activities

·            Academics and researchers

·            Outdoor recreation participants

·            Retailers/suppliers of products used in the construction of trails

·            Trail care groups

·            Regional Tourism representatives

·            Local Government Councillors

Significant events associated with the Conference included:

• The launch of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Management Plan during the Conference Opening.  The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is one of three Regional Trails to be developed by the State Government over the next 4 years.   Lindsay Enright (Executive Director, Office of Urban Management) is featured below presenting the Management Plan as part of his Opening Address.

• Field Activity Day – Delegates enlisted themselves prior to the Conference in one of 11 tour options in and around the Sunshine Coast.  All activities were led by qualified leaders and accompanied by facilitators with knowledge of the location and trails-related planning and management issues. Activity Day options included:

-          Mountain Biking: Noosa Trails Network to Lake MacDonald

-          Mountain Biking: Noosa Trails Network and Tewantin State Forest

-          Kayaking: Noosa River, Cooloola National Park

-          Paddle (Maroochy River Canoe Trail) and cycle on Sunshine Coastal Pathway to Mooloolaba Spit

-          Horse ride/walk: Noosa Trails Network      

-          Cycle: Point Cartwright to Caloundra (Sunshine Coastal Pathway)

-          Bushwalk: Lake Baroon to Kondalilla Falls, Sunshine Coast Great Walk

-          Bushwalk: Flaxton to Mapleton Falls, Sunshine Coast Great Walk

-          Trail Bike Workshop: Green Park, Conondale

-          4WD tour: Great Sandy National Park        

-          Fraser Island 4WD tour

A collection of photos from the Field Activity Day is included below.

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• Two keynote addresses from international speakers – Julie Cartner and Mike Van Abel (photos below), both drew on their wealth of knowledge and experience relating to the planning and development of tracks and trails and were very well received in each of their presentations.  Although both were from a strong mountain bike background, they were able to extrapolate their learning’s to a broader focus.

Mike Van Abel, Executive Director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association, USA

Julie Cartner, Lead Development Coordinator, 7stanes Team – Scotland

• The announcement of the establishment of ‘Trails Australia’ a national trails entity, formed as a result of the week’s discussions and the focused pre-conference workshop.

For further information on Trails Australia, please CLICK HERE  

A CD of proceedings has now been produced and is available for purchase through the link below.  It features all conference presentations, programme, detailed contact list of attendees as well as a great selection of photos captured during the field activity day. Price - $30.00.