Collie launches the Wagyl Biddi trail network

The Shire of Collie launched the new nine-kilometre trail network on Thursday, January 25 which links Collie’s town centre to its surrounding bushland.

The shire also announced that the network would be called the Collie Wagyl Biddi Mountain Bike Trails, while the five individual trails would be known as the Wilman Trail, Sprocket’s Rocket, Drop Dead Fred, Marri Meander and Rocky Horror.

The trail features a series of networks with the aim to attract riders of all abilities, including a 4.5 kilometre stretch suitable for hand cyclists.

The concept plan for the network was approved by council in August 2017 after the town was identified as one of three priority development areas for mountain biking in the South West Master Plan, released in 2016.

The Trail Head is located at Soldier’s Park on Lefroy Street and includes toilets, water and parking, as well as a playground, skate park and barbecue facilities. 

Collie shire president Sarah Stanley said the town was fast becoming one of Western Australia’s premier tracks and trails hub.

“This new trail is perfect to showcase the type and quality of trails available in the region, attracting visitors to stay on and enjoy more trails, or return for another look,” she said.

“The increased traffic expected in the central business district will be good for small businesses and consumer confidence.”

As part of the build up to the official opening of the trail, the shire partnered with Crank‘n Cycles’ to run a competition to name the track.

Crank‘n Cycles’ owner and cycling enthusiast Erik Mellegers said he was excited to be involved with the building and naming of the new trail network.

“I was really surprised with how many people came up with names,” he said.

He said it was easy to pick the names for different sections of the track but when it came to picking a name for the overall network it was a different story.

“It was hard to pick a winner, we had to make sure the name encompassed everything about Collie and mountain biking,” he said.

“It’s been a very open and time consuming, but necessary, process.

“The Collie town trails are very unique in that there are very few, if at all, opportunities in WA to have such quality trails right in the middle of town.”

As part of the promotion of the trail and Collie, people are being asked to share their experience by taking a photo and using the ‘#CollieTrails on social media.

For more information on Collie’s trail network, contact the Collie Visitor Centre on 9734 2051 or visit www.collierivervalley.com.au.