Derby prepares to party
Taylor Clyne, Jacquline Hayden, Luke Petterwood, Chris Cafe, Samantha Kerr, John Marik, Ben and Anastasia Jones with Pete Coleborn are preparing to celebrate 10 years of Blue Derby.
December 4, 2024
By Rachel Williams
The North-East’s iconic Blue Derby Mountain Bike trails will soon celebrate 10 years of operation with a major community event being planned for next year and plans to further build on the site’s prosperity.
The evolution of the word-renowned trails is continuing with Dorset Council pushing for State or Federal Government investment to guide the next stages of development.
Since opening to the public in February 2015, the trails have transformed the town.
But Council General Manager John Marik said it was imperative to future-proof the trails, which he said generate an estimated $20 million a year for the local economy.
“Celebrating the past decade of Blue Derby is important, but our focus must now shift to safeguarding this world-class asset for generations to come,” Mr Marik said.
Council is calling on the State or Federal Government to fund a $500,000 Derby Master Plan project to outline growth and development opportunities for the town and its trail network for the next decade and beyond.
“With the expansion of mountain bike trails across Tasmania and Australia, it’s vital to maintain Blue Derby’s position at the forefront of the industry,” Mr Marik said.
Mr Marik said Blue Derby was the cornerstone of Tasmania’s mountain biking success story, with the $3.25 million in previous Federal and State contributions toward the trail network delivering “an extraordinary return on investment”.
With a Federal election looming, it’s hoped more money will flow to the project, which Blue Derby Foundation Chair Chris Cafe said was an undisputed success story.
“We started with 30kms of trails and a dream and we sit here today nearly a decade on with 133km of single track trails encompassing a network that suits the very beginner and families right through to the most hardcore riders,” Mr Cafe said.
“Today we are known for having a
product that is second to none in the world. When the first trail was built there were barely any places to stay and today we have more than 70 short-term accommodation providers sleeping upwards of 300 people.”
Mr Cafe said the resulting business opportunities, job creation and influx of new families to the area was cause for celebration.
“Shining a light on this anniversary is key in showcasing what we have accomplished but also where we are headed. We plan to grow this product, diversify the destination and bring more visitors to the North-East corner,” he said.
A three-day celebration is being planned to mark the milestone from April 10-12, 2025.
It will include the opening of the new Shimano Trail, an event village and festivities, a community event with live music, food and drink, VIP and guided rides, an anniversary beer collaboration with Little Rivers and a full line of anniversary merchandise.
Pete Coleborn worked with World Trails to build the original tracks and has since been working with Council on the ever-evolving project.
He said he’s also looking forward to hosting hundreds of people from across the globe later next year for the Professional Trail Builders Association annual conference in November.
It’s the first time the event has been held outside of North America.
“To have it hosted in Derby is real recognition of where we sit in terms of market position as a mountain bike destination but also recognition that Derby is considered the
golden standard of maintenance and how to look after an investment and continue to build and look after the product.”
Visit Northern Tasmania CEO Tracey Mallett said businesses should start preparing to make the most out of the international exposure that will come with both the 10 year celebration and the conference.
“VNT encourages all operators to think differently, be ready to welcome returning or new visitors with improved communication, details about their sustainability, accessibility or diversity offerings and open their doors to provide that true Tasmanian hospitality,” she said.