DUNGOG Common has received a significant funding boost to help expand on the booming success of the local mountain biking industry.
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A $650,000 state government fund was announced by Deputy Premier John Barilaro on Wednesday. The money will go towards more tracks at Dungog Common, maintaining and repairing existing trails and training workshops for young people wanting to get involved in the sport.
Under an agreement between the NSW Government and Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council, Crown land on which Dungog Common is located, will be returned to the local Aboriginal people, while guaranteeing continued community use and access.
A portion of the government money will also be spent to protect Aboriginal culture and heritage, while balancing the expansion needs of Ride Dungog in what has been a big 12 months for the local mountain biking community and its associated industries.
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"The silver lining of COVID has been an increase in domestic tourism and riders come from all over the state to ride the Dungog tracks. As a result, business is booming, with eight new businesses, including two new bike shops, now open," Mr Barilaro said.
In October Newcastle Herald reported that riders were coming from far and wide to race along the 22 kilometres of mountain bike trails threading the 263-hectare reserve on the fringe of Dungog. The hard work of community group Ride Dungog to build and maintain the tracks saw an influx of riders to the region, injecting money and optimism into the town.
Since then Ride Dungog has raised $70,000 to help fund the design and construction of two more tracks, as part of its push to make the town a world-class mountain biking destination. This community fund will be greatly boosted by the NSW Government cash injection.
"Our community is overjoyed with this outcome," Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson Michelle Perry said.
"The partnership returns the Crown land to our people while delivering joint social, economic and tourism benefits for the region."
Ride Dungog President Chloe Chick said the partnership and money would help to grow Dungog into an even more impressive drawcard for mountain biking enthusiasts.
"Working together we'll be able to achieve community driven social, economic and environmental outcomes for our region, especially for our young people, through mountain biking," Ms Chick said.
As the Upper Hunter by-election draws closer Labor has also thrown its hat into the ring for Dungog's attention. Shortly after the state government funding announcement on Wednesday, NSW Labor announced it would also commit $700,000 to support Dungog becoming 'a world-class biking destination and boost tourism across the Upper Hunter'.
The Labor support package would include $50,000 for Dungog Shire Council to promote the town as a major tourist destination.
"This is a clean, green and cheap way to create support local jobs when they are needed most and help diversify the growing tourist industry in and around Dungog," Shadow Minister for Active Transport Jo Haylen said.
"Dungog has a golden opportunity to position itself as a world-class biking destination and it's important the community has the support to make it possible."
You can hear the audio version of Scott Bevan's Dungog story on the Voice of Real Australia podcast.
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