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RIDERS of all ages, skill levels and disciplines will think Christmas has come early when they see the Wyaralong Regional Trail Bike Facility master plan.

Unveiled at Wyaralong on Sunday, the master plan represents the typical rider’s dream come true - a haven for motorcycle sports complete with pee-wee, novice, natural terrain, freestyle and supercross areas.

Due to open in the second half of 2011, Wyaralong will be south-east Queensland’s first dedicated trail bike facility and will also include flat track areas, observed trails, camping sites, parking, spectator areas and rider rest areas.

Responsible for seeing the master plan vision become a reality is Motorcycling Queensland (MQ), which was announced as the selected facility operator at the master plan launch.

MQ will lead a consortium of industry representatives, who will guide the $3.3 million development throughout and well beyond the construction stage.

The consortium includes Ray Buchanan’s Australian Dirt Biking Adventures, Crusty Demons’ Matt Schubring and Steve Sommerfield’s companies Invert Management and Moto Solutions, plus an SEQ regional recreational facilities company, established to represent the eight councils involved with the facility development and operation.

Announcing the operators on Sunday was Council of Mayors (SEQ) chairman Councillor Campbell Newman, who said Motorcycling Queensland was carefully selected to operate the trail bike facility after an intense six month tender process.

He said the group has a significant journey ahead of it, with the Wyaralong facility to fill an important need for the extensive south-east Queensland motorbike riding community.

“The Wyaralong Regional Trail Bike Facility will be a unique venue that will offer south-east Queensland’s 230,000 trail bike riders with a first-class legal riding option,” Cr Newman said.

“SEQ Councils have been working with the State Government to bring this project to fruition.

“We have recognised off-road trail bike riding as a legitimate recreational pursuit that is becoming increasingly popular in Queensland.

“We now welcome Motorcycling Queensland to the partnership to play their part in making the trail bike facility a reality.”

MQ brings a wealth of experience to the project, having supported the industry since its formation in 1924. MQ general manager Lindesay Granger said the organisation was excited to be on board to develop the  facility.

“We started this search for a trail bike park in south-east Queensland about 10 years ago and worked closely with many organisations, clubs and other groups to try and get something to happen, and this is the first time we’ve actually seen a result,” he said.

Mr Granger said the 745 hectare Wyaralong site, located on the southern side of the Boonah-Beaudesert Road 30km from Beaudesert, had great potential.

It was chosen, from a range of sites across the region, determined most suitable due to its size, location and proximity to major south-east Queensland urban centre.

“We’ve got a challenge to use all of the land that is there but there are some fabulous sites for trial rides, for moto cross and every aspect of motorcycle sport,” he said.

“We think it’s got huge potential.”

Mr Granger said MQ was committed to managing the facility to the highest standards for its expected 20,000 annual visitors.

The development’s first sod is expected to be turned next month, when construction of a 1.1 kilometre access road to the trail bike site will commence.

Local stars support trail bike facility plan

LOCAL motorcycling stars, including the likes of Crusty Demons rider Matt Schubring and National Junior Women’s Moto Trials Champion Adina Reed (pictured), have given the Wyaralong Regional Trail Bike Facility plans their personal thumbs up.

One such local making a name for herself in the industry is Canungra 17-year-old Adina Reed, the 2009 and 2010 Junior Women’s Moto Trials Champion.

Speaking to the Beaudesert Times after a motocross demonstration at the master plan launch on Sunday, Adina agreed with Schubring that the Wyaralong facility would decrease the amount of illegal trail bike riding happening across south-east Queensland, and particularly the Scenic Rim.

“At the moment, unless you own a private property or your club itself asks a private property owner for them to lend you their property, there is nowhere to ride,” Adina said.

“So I think it is so great that the council and Motorcycling Queensland are coming together, using all their resources to cater for the amount of motorbike riders we’ve got.

“It stops dangerous riders on the road, stops people riding illegally in forests, parks, and all the rest of it.

“It would mean so much to so many people.”

Adina said she would personally make great use of the facility once it was up and running.

“I can pretty much guarantee that every weekend I don’t have an event on you’ll see me over there with my permanent little tent, and I’ll be having quite a lovely time,” she said.

The only issue Adina wants addressed for all riders is entry fees and licensing.

“I would definitely like to speak to Lindesay Granger from Motorcycling Queensland about Motocross Australia licences, because as soon as you’re over 16 you need to pay for MA licences, and they go up to $200 plus dollars,” she said.

“I think if you’ve got an MA licene and you’re using the park, then you should get some kind of discount, because you are already covered by insurance. You don’t have to be covered twice.”