Be part of a pivotal moment in the next chapter of mountain biking in Victoria!
Join organisers PLA (VicTas), Outdoors Victoria, and Blue Sky Trails for the second Victorian Sustainable Mountain Bike Trails Summit. Supported by AusCycling and Box Hill Institute.
Tickets are now LIVE! This year we are offering four Trade Booths to showcase your organisation. Please see inclusions here and contact victas@parksleisure.com.au for any questions.
This year’s program will move beyond the “why” and focus on the “how”. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and facilitated workshops, delegates will explore practical solutions for governance, funding, trail stewardship, maintenance techniques, volunteer coordination, data-driven decision making and building stronger partnerships across the sector.
Mountain biking continues to play a vital role in Victoria’s outdoor culture. From local volunteer-built trail networks to destination trail experiences, these places support recreation, health and wellbeing, community connection, tourism, and regional economies.
As demand continues to grow, so too does the need for collaborative, sustainable approaches to planning, management, and investment.
Program
Click on + to find out more!
10:00am - Opening and welcome
Andrew Knight (Outdoors Victoria), David Strickland (Sport & Recreation Victoria), Box Hill Institute and Blue Sky Trails
Andrew Knight (Outdoors Victoria), David Strickland (Sport & Recreation Victoria), Box Hill Institute and Blue Sky Trails
10:20am - Set the scene from last year
Mel Ward (AusCycling)
Mel Ward (AusCycling)
Expect to hear about the MTB Club Assembly and VMAC update.
10:30am - Rod Annear, Assistant Director Visitor Services, DBCA
Governance, sustainability and maintenance funding models.
10:50am - State and Federal Agencies
DEECA, Parks Victoria, ARV
DEECA, Parks Victoria, ARV
Richard Wadsworth – State Recreation and Tourism Coordinator, DEECA
Jeremy Reiger – Director Managegement and Planning – Parks Victoria
Calum Brown – Lake Mountain General Manager – ARV
11:10am - Local Government Authorities
East Gippsland Shire Council, Manningham Council
East Gippsland Shire Council, Manningham Council
“Operations and management using data at Omeo” – Ben Reeves, previous MTB Trail Coordinator Omeo, East Gippsland Council
“Fitzsimons reserve, highs and lows” – Cormac McCarthy, Acting Coordinator City Design, Manningham Council
11:30am Club and Community
La Larr Ba Gauwa Park, Red Hill Riders
La Larr Ba Gauwa Park, Red Hill Riders
“A trail journey through flood and fire” – Aaron Stewart, La Larr Ba Gauwa Community Of Management
Mark Jessup from Red Hill Riders talking about volunteer trail maintenance and care.
12:00pm - Lunch and networking
1:00pm - INSPIRE
Aus Cycling, Blue Sky Trails and World Trail
Aus Cycling, Blue Sky Trails and World Trail
“Leveraging evidence based data for sustainable trail assets” – Ash Gray, Trail Consultant, Blue Sky Trails
“Trail resilience in the face of growing severe weather events” – Paul Elshaug, Trail Consultant, World Trail
1:50pm - Workshop - Facilitated Key Topic Deep Dive
- Risk, insurance and practical resources
Practical tools and resources to help clubs, land managers and providers understand, visualise and manage risk, including insurance considerations and the gaps that still exist. - Data, monitoring and demonstrating value
Using data and monitoring to understand participation, user experience and outcomes, strengthen funding applications, and demonstrate the value and impact of trails and related infrastructure. - Building capability and career pathways
Strengthening skills, training and career pathways across clubs, land managers, trail operators and builders, while sharing experiences, lessons learned and opportunities for the sector.
3:00pm - What can YOU do?
3 actions I will do; 3 people I will connect with; 3 ways I will share
3 actions I will do; 3 people I will connect with; 3 ways I will share
3:30pm - Wrap up and close
Why This Summit Matters
The conversations started at last year’s Summit highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing Victoria’s trail sector. Increasing trail use, changing environmental conditions, evolving governance requirements, and growing expectations on clubs and land managers all reinforce the need for a coordinated approach.
This Summit will continue the conversation, bringing together key stakeholders to:
- share knowledge
- identify priorities
- explore practical solutions that support the long-term sustainability of mountain bike trails across Victoria.
Whether you’re a land manager, council officer, trail builder, club committee member, volunteer, consultant, industry representative, or policy maker, this Summit is an opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of the sector.
Planning is Underway
The Victorian Sustainable Mountain Bike Trails Summit Advisory Council (VMAC) and Planning Committee have the first meeting on the 10th September.
We want this Summit to reflect the priorities, challenges, and opportunities that matter most to the Victorian mountain biking community and are working closely with stakeholders to reflect this.
