Completion date: 2025/26
Investment: $959,947
About the Project
The Williams Reserve in Boddington is poised to become a premier destination for mountain biking enthusiasts, thanks to a substantial grant of $959,947 under the Australian Government’s Priority Community Infrastructure Program.
This significant funding will be used to design and construct a series of mountain bike trails of varying lengths, styles, and classifications within Williams Reserve. The project aims to cater to riders of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced, offering a much-needed recreational facility in the region.
The initiative is driven by recommendations from the Peel Trails Strategy, which highlights the need for improved and additional trail facilities to enhance recreational opportunities and attract visitors to the area. The 2022-2032 Council Plan also reflects growing community interest in trails, indicating a rising demand for outdoor recreational activities within Boddington. Currently, there is an undersupply of mountain bike trails in the area, and this project seeks to address that gap, providing residents and visitors with more options for outdoor activities and promoting a healthier lifestyle.
The need to undertake this project is driven by:
- Recommendations made in Peel Trails Strategy
- Community interest in trails as identified in the 2023-2033 Council Plan
- An undersupply of mountain bike trails in Boddington
- Recommendations made in Peel Trails Strategy.
- Community interest in trails as identified in the 2023-2033 Council Plan.
- An undersupply of mountain bike trails in Boddington.
- Attracting visitors, supporting local businesses, and creating opportunities for events, boosting Boddington’s local economy by developing a trails network.
- Encouraging physical activity, supporting community wellbeing and offering accessible recreation opportunities for all ages.
Project Progress
The Peel Regional Trails Strategy (PRTS) was developed and published by Common Ground in 2019. The Shire successfully obtained funding from Royalty for Regions for the redevelopment of Hotham Park, which included a provision to undertake planning for a regional project to complement the PTRS.
During the 2022 federal election, the Australian Federal Labor Party committed $8 million to upgrade the trail network in the Peel region. A Steering Group for the Boddington Mountain Bike Trail Project was formed to advance a concept design for the mountain bike trails. The Council endorsed the Concept Plan for the Williams Reserve Mountain Bike Trail in June 2023.
Ethnographic and Archaeological Site Identifications Surveys were completed for the proposed Boddington Mountain Bike Trail Network Concept Plan, in consultation with Traditional Owners. In 2024, the State Government announced upgrades to the trails in the Peel region as part of a $165 million commitment from the State Government budget. The Outdoor Adventure Tourism package will support new and upgraded boating facilities, campgrounds, trails and tourist attractions across WA. This includes $8 million to improve the network of trails across the Peel region.
A grant agreement was signed between the Peel Development Commission and the Commonwealth's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and Arts, relating to the $8 million grant awarded under the Priority Community Infrastructure Program. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Peel Development Commission and the Shire of Boddington regarding the $959,947 allocated to the Boddington Mountain Bike Trails.
The Shire of Boddington released a tender for the detailed design and construction of the initial stages of the mountain bike trails. In May, Common Ground was selected to conduct the detailed design and construction of the Boddington Mountain Bike Trails, utilising their extensive experience with the project, as they also developed the original concept plan.
The Detailed Design was completed for approximately 22 kilometres of shared-use trails, categorised into easy, moderate, and difficult levels. In July, an application was submitted to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage for consent under regulations 7 and 10 of the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 1974 for the proposed mountain bike trails crossing at Hotham River. In November, the Shire received consent from the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites to conduct activities within an Aboriginal site.
A Detailed Flora and Vegetation Assessment was completed, with surveys conducted over two consecutive springs. A Basic Fauna and Targeted Black Cockatoo Assessment was also completed. In December 2024, a Clearing Permit application was submitted to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).
The Shire is currently progressing the necessary environmental approvals required to undertake the construction of the trails, with work anticipated to commence in early 2026, following advice from DWER. A targeted fauna study is underway to detect the presence of the Woylie (critically endangered), Chuditch (vulnerable) and numbat (endangered). Furthermore, the Shire has submitted an additional application to DWER for a permit under Sections 11, 17, and 21A of the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914.