Mt Roland & Coast to Cradle Mountain Bike Trail

As reported in a recent article in the Advocate Newspaper (June 30, 2013) Kentish Council are still ticking away on a project that could see the establishment of a world-class mountain biking and family cycling park around Mt Roland, with the project getting the support of the Kentish Council economic development committee.

As noted in the 18 June 2013 council agenda The council is also supportive of the development of a cycling trail linking the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal directly to Cradle Mountain, without the use of a single road.

Now that would be cool.

Excerpt from the 18 June 2013 Council Agenda:

Mountainbike and family cycling park:
The Tourism and Economic Development Officer (TEDO) updated the Committee on the progress of the mountain bike proposal for Kentish, identifying two options for the hub, and two other associated trail options that might be considered. The two options for the central trail network are: on the western and eastern fringes of Mt Roland, with a connecting track around the southern side of Mt Roland; or on the eastern side of Kimberleys Lookout, linking Railton to Sheffield. Further, an option has been raised to develop the family cycling park aspect on Shale Rd at Latrobe in an area of existing informal tracks that have developed due to local recreational use over years. Another option was raised to build a mountain bike trail from Sheffield to Cradle Mtn. Given the plans to link the mountain biking venue to the Tasmania Trail to Latrobe, and plans to build a cycling path between Devonport and Latrobe to connect to the Coastal Pathway, it would become possible to cycle all the way from the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal to Cradle Mtn, without using a road. This was considered by the committee to have significant potential to attract tourists. The committee strongly supported the Cradle Mtn trail and the potential trail link to the ferry. TEDO reported the plans were still conceptual and further stakeholder discussion was still required over the next month. However, it was intended a Project Management Plan be developed that would make the project “shovel ready’’ and ready for investment. An application would be made to Sport and Recreation Tasmania in May for financial assistance in producing the Project Management Plan.