Where is this and what's the impact on Conondale 
?? cheers$4 million trail bike park for Beaudesert, QLD
Posted: Tuesday, 1st December, 2009 : 2:36 PM - - 1092 Reads -
The Queensland State Government and the South East Queensland's mayors have reached an agreement to build a $4 million trail bike park near Beaudesert according to the Brisbane Times.
According to Tony Moore's article the State Government has agreed to set aside 745 hectares of land at Wyaralong, about 25 kilometres west of Beaudesert, and has promised $1 million to get the plan off the ground.
The first stage of the special-purpose project will include basic camping facilities, 30 kilometres of trails, signage, a natural terrain motocross course, parking area and toilets.
The second stage could include the addition of power and showers to camping areas, a specialist motocross track - with a race tower, spectator area and starting gates - additional trails, signage, and a kiosk or cafe.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and Premier Anna Bligh made the announcement today after councils spent more than a year trying to find a suitable space for trail bike riding.
Ms Bligh said off-road trail bike riding was a legitimate recreational pursuit that had become increasingly popular in Queensland.
"But illegal trail bike riding is a major issue in our suburbs and this new facility will give people a place to ride their motorbikes legally," she said.
"Trail biking is a fantastic and exciting sport but it requires careful management in appropriate environments."
Earlier this month, Queensland's Environment Department listed illegal trail biking on its hit list of problem issues for 2010.
The department said unauthorised bike trails harm wildlife and plants and cause severe erosion.
Bike riders who deliberately ignored designated trails would face an on-the-spot fine of $100 and anyone who constructed an illegal track or jump would face a fine of up to $1,000.
Cr Newman, the chairman of the South-East Queensland Council of Mayors, said a solution had to be found because more than 230,000 now enjoyed trail bike riding as an outdoor activity.
"Illegal trail bike riding has long been a blight on some of Brisbane's pristine bushland areas, and has caused major headaches not only for the council and police but residents too," Cr Newman said.
"While most people do the right thing and ride only in designated areas, others have been venturing on to private or council-owned land and even residential streets.'
Cr Newman said the State Government owned site at Wyaralong was a good balance.
"It's ideally positioned within easy reach of trail bike riders not only from Brisbane but across South East Queensland," he said.
Motorcycling Queensland general manager Lindsay Granger welcomed the decision and said MQ had tried to find suitable land for a long time.
"It's long overdue," Mr Granger said.
"But I think it's great.
"Generally speaking if we can get land within an hour of Brisbane, we can get a great demand from motorcyclists from the greater Brisbane area."
This article can be read in full at Brisbane Times
