A new pump track in Maryborough’s Anzac Park was officially opened today by Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders and Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour.
Cr Seymour said pump tracks were becoming popular recreational facilities across the country, so it was fantastic to see the new facility come to life in Maryborough.
“A pump track is a circuit of rollers, banked turns and jumps designed to be ridden by generating momentum through up and down body movements instead of pedalling or pushing,” he said.
“The track caters for beginners, intermediate and experienced users. The section for juniors and beginners provides a simpler, slower rider flow, whereas the more advanced sections have corners, jumps, berms and other challenging features.
“It’s also floodlit so it can be used at night and has transition pathways to the pump track take-off ramp.”
Mr Saunders said the Queensland Government had provided a $1.3 million grant to Council through the Works for Queensland program to design and build pump tracks in Maryborough and Hervey Bay.
“The Works for Queensland program has been very successful at helping regional Councils deliver infrastructure that improves liveability and makes a big difference in local communities,” he said.
“Funding through Works for Queensland has helped revitalise Anzac Park through the development of this new pump track this year and the SplashSide water playground in 2021.
“The new pump track is a great investment for residents. It will encourage more people to be outside, stay healthy, and enjoy our great city.”
Cr Paul Truscott thanked the Queensland Government for providing funding to help improve Anzac Park and transform it into one of the premier parks on the Fraser Coast.
“Council is determined to create connected communities through our places, spaces and people and the new facilities in Anzac Park certainly help to encourage our residents to be healthy and active,” he said.
A pump track in Hervey Bay will be built in the coming months in Fraser Coast Park, behind the current Hervey Bay Library and the University of the Sunshine Coast’s local campus. A smaller pump track opened in Tiaro last year.
Please note the images on this page are just examples of pump tracks from different areas to provide an overview of what a pump track is.
The Maryborough pump track will be a medium sized asphalt track.
A pump track is a circuit of rollers, banked turns and jumps designed to be ridden by generating momentum by up and down body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing.
Pump tracks can be made from dirt, wood, plywood, composite, concrete or asphalt. The Maryborough and Hervey Bay pump tracks will be made from asphalt.
Asphalt tracks are low maintenance and can withstand significant public use. They also can be designed in any formation allowing for a range of riding opportunities.
Originally designed for mountain bikes and BMX bikes, they are now used by skateboarders and scooter riders and are accessible for all abilities, including wheelchairs. There will be distinct sections to cater for beginners, intermediate and experienced users.
Council recognises that pump tracks are becoming popular recreation facilities across the country – with a recent feasibility study highlighting there was demand for pump tracks in the region.
The feasibility study identified several potential locations for both the Maryborough and Hervey Bay pump tracks. Council has undertaken further review of the sites with two sites identified as potential options for Maryborough. Council is now seeking feedback on the two potential sites – Anzac Park and Brendan Hansen Park. We want to hear from residents which location they prefer.
Council would like to see the Hervey Bay track built at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct in Nikenbah, subject to community consultation on a revised Sports Precinct Master Plan in early 2022.
The Maryborough and Hervey Bay pump track projects will be funded by Council and Round 4 of the Queensland State Government’s Works For Queensland funding.
Under the funding arrangement Council will design and deliver the two pump tracks over the next three years.
The Maryborough project will include three engagement phases, Phase 1 – Locations, Phase 2 – Design Development and Phase 3 – Review of Draft Design.
To facilitate the Phase 1 engagement Council will be conducting a variety of activities, including a survey, submissions and drop in sessions. The survey and submission process will run from Thursday 16 December 2021 to 11:55pm Sunday 16 January 2022.
Community members can also register through the survey to be involved in the Design Phase early next year.
Council will continue to engage with the community through Phase 2 and 3, as well as the construction stage. Residents are encouraged to register on the Engagement Hub page to stay up to date with the most current information.