What the SA state government is doing for MTB trails

Cycling a focus of new parks strategy in SA
Published Date Written by Tony Scott
News Release Minister Paul Caica
Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation

Minister for Water and the River Murray Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation

Thursday, 22 November 2012

Cycling a focus of new parks strategy

Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Paul Caica today launched People and Parks, a long-term strategy to increase the use and enjoyment of the state’s national parks, marine parks and reserves.

Mr Caica said establishing the Mt Lofty Ranges as a nationally recognised destination for cycling is one of the key projects in the strategy to promote South Australia’s national parks.

“Our goal with this strategy is to welcome people into our parks and encourage them to have fun and enjoy the health benefits of being outdoors, but at the same time learn about nature and contribute to the care of the parks,” he said.

“In line with this goal, I am pleased to announce that a number of management tracks in Cleland Conservation Park and Belair National Park will be opened to cyclists, and we have plans for trails in other parks to follow.

“The shared-use trails opened in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park last year have been a fantastic example of what this new strategy aims to achieve.

“The trails have been overwhelmingly embraced by cyclists and have encouraged lots of new visitors to the park.

“Many of those visitors have also helped with an extensive replanting program in the park and this is exactly the sort of outcome we are encouraging.

“Our parks system is truly magnificent and something of which we can all feel justifiably proud.”

South Australia has more than 300 land-based parks and 19 marine parks, between them attracting more than 4.2 million visitors a year.

Mr Caica said People and Parks included a number of other exciting projects.

“We will be expanding the number of trails in parks near Adelaide that are suitable for people with limited mobility and upgrading facilities at some of our iconic tourism attractions, such as Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island,” he said.

“The parks network will continue to play a key role in helping to build state tourism to an $8 billion industry by 2020, so enabling the private sector and others to help deliver services to park visitors is also an important part of this strategy.”

For more information visit www.environment.sa.gov.au/peopleandparks

[Mod. moved to Australia]