Iain Masters has been working on the plan for more than 20 years.

Iain Masters has been working on the plan for more than 20 years. Contributed

IT WAS a trip to Tasmania that convinced Mackay Regional councillor Justin Englert that a mountain biking trail could be the economic project that the Pioneer Valley needed.

Right now Mackay Regional Council and Mackay and District (MAD) Mountain Bike Club are working on a project for mountain bike trails around Eungella and a 25km gravity trail from Eungella to Finch Hatton.

World renowned track builders and experts have already visited the proposed area to gauge the validity of the project and the response has been positive.

"What we are talking about is economic development," he said.

"It's not for us locals to go out mountain biking its about attracting visitation to this region.

"There is so much merit for it."

The area in Eungella to show the scope of the project Troy Kippen

Cr Englert always had an interest in the project since he has been a mountain bike rider for almost 15 years, and had been to some of the most well known mountain biking locations across the world, including Blue Derby in Tasmania.

Cr Englert visited Derby in 2016.

At the time it was a trail network of about 80km luring about 65,000 visitors a year. The town was full with short-term accommodation, bike shops, cafes and four pubs.

It was a completely different story three years prior. "It was a timber and tin town in the 1930s to the 60s and was dying. There hadn't been a home sold in 30 years - it was a ghost town," he said.

Cr Englert said what he saw in Derby could easily be done in the Pioneer Valley with the right support.

But in the last three years the town has been completely revitalised. So far they have invested $3.1 million in the trails," he said.

"In the first year it had 15,000. By year three they had 65,000 visitors. There is nothing else in this region that attracts 65,000 people.

"Mountain biking is the second largest growing sport after surfing. They are affluent travellers."

Iain Masters has been working on the plan for more than 20 years Troy Kippen

Dorset Council general manager Tim Watson said the Blue Derby trail brought in about $30 million for the economy and about $15-18 million in the local economy.

The trail opened in 2015 after a lot of work and attracts about 30,000 visitors a year and is growing.

"It's the number one location in Australia for mountain biking and in the top ten in the world," he said. "(Derby) had one foot in the grave before the park was opened."

He said it cost about $1000 per kilometre in maintenance a year.

"There is a lot of work because you have to build the brand and market it. It's like any business," he said.

MAD Mountain Bike Club president Iain Masters has been working on this project for 20 years.

"It's not just about sports and recreation, this is economic development," he said.