Mountain bike trail plan for South-West

• Master plan for mountain biking in South-West released
• First section of new trail completed in Bramley National Park near Margaret River

New purpose-built mountain bike trails will be developed across the South-West, as part of a plan to promote Western Australia as a destination for one of the world's fastest growing sports.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob today released the South West Mountain Bike Master Plan, which identified areas for future mountain bike trail development.

"This master plan has identified Collie, Margaret River and Pemberton as high priority areas for trail development," Mr Jacob said.

"As the draft master plan was being developed, Bramley National Park near Margaret River rose to the top as a priority area, and I am delighted that the first part of an initial eight-kilometre network has already been delivered, with more planned.

"The State Government will continue working with the mountain biking community to build more trails across the South-West on land managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife, in line with the master plan's recommendations.

"There has been increasing demand for purpose-built facilities and a more managed approach towards mountain biking in WA, and we are responding to that demand, particularly since releasing the WA Mountain Bike Strategy earlier this year."

Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said new trails would attract mountain bikers from all over Australia and the world.

"Mountain biking has become incredibly popular in recent years - there are 120,000 mountain bikes purchased each year in WA and almost half a million West Australians now own one - so we expect new trails will not only bring more cycling enthusiasts to our South-West, but also encourage more people to take up this wonderful activity," Ms Davies said.

"What better reason to get the bike out and visit the South-West than a network of well-managed, well-constructed trails in stunning natural settings."

The master plan was prepared by WA's peak cycling body WestCycle with support from the departments of Parks and Wildlife and Sport and Recreation, and the WA Mountain Bike Association. A master plan for the Perth and Peel regions is currently in development.

Fact File

• For a copy of the master plan, visit http://www.westcycle.org.au
• The $350,000 initial Bramley trail network is funded by the Department of Parks and Wildlife's Royalties for Regions-funded Parks for People initiative, a Lotterywest trails grant, Natural Resource Management grants, the Margaret River Off Road Cycling Association, the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and the Cape to Cape MTB

Environment Minister's office - 6552 5800

Sport and Recreation Minister's office - 6552 5500