The growth in mountain bike tourism is a significant economic and social driver for communities across Australia, driving additional business opportunities and increasing the economic benefits to existing businesses.
This project will transform Eden into a modern, state-significant mountain biking destination and provide much-needed economic recovery to this bushfire-impacted regional town.
Gravity Eden
Gravity Eden is a new network of mountain bike trails due to be completed by June 2023. The gravity park boasts 56kms of new trails that will use over 300m of elevation and feature 20 different trails of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty.
The goal is to work together as a community to attract mountain bikers to the town to stimulate Eden’s local economy, helping to ensure that the community benefits are realised and shared.
This Bushfire Local Economic Recovery project is jointly funded by the Australian and the NSW governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Involve, collaborate, and activate
NGH developed the stakeholder engagement and communication strategy covering the construction and activation of the Eden Mountain Bike Trails. The strategy engaged with those impacted by the construction of the trails and the activation of the trail network. The methodology used aligns with the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) participation levels of Involve and Collaborate.
The engagement component of this project has been some of the best money we’ve spent because of the sheer number of local businesses who are now supporting the project.
Stan Soroka
Eden Mountain Bike Club President
The stakeholder engagement and communication strategy allow stakeholders to explore what the Eden Mountain Bike hub project and activation means for them. It provides avenues for people to express their needs and concerns and importantly encourages collaboration on regional destination opportunities.
Local ownership and opportunities
Clear, concise and practical information presented on the project, potential benefits, and impacts for the community and the region has helped ensure the Eden Mountain Bike Trails has maintained a positive profile in the region.
We have had the pleasure of working together with the community in a collaborative way to develop local pride and ownership of the project.
NGH
NGH has facilitated interactive information sessions, pop-up events and will lead a community open day once the trails are open to the public.
Would you like to know more about Gravity Eden and Eden Mountain Bike Club? They would appreciate your support – https://www.gravityeden.com.au/
Contact us to learn more about stakeholder engagement, communications, strategy facilitation and place-based planning.
