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Shire may become motorcycle friendly

South Burnett Regional Council motorcycle friendly shire Bunya Mountains

The South Burnett Regional Council in South-East Queensland could be the first shire to declare itself motorcycle friendly.

It follows the towns of Bicheno in Tasmania, Texas and Crows Nest in Queensland and Wauchope in NSW plus the Avon Valley region near Perth which have all declared themselves motorcycle friendly in recent years.

Motorbike Writer is proud to have helped some of these communities throw out the welcome mat to riders.

We were on the Texas Motorcycle Friendly Committee from which Wauchope drew their plan and have advised Crows Nest which officially launches as a Motorcycle Friendly Town on Sunday.

Riders are invited to attend the official Crows Nest ceremony from 10am in the town square with a parade and scenic rides to follow.

Springborg (second left) at the Texas Motorcycle Friendly Town launch tourism crows nest
Texas Motorcycle Friendly Town launch

Motorbike Writer also recently consulted with the South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell, Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff and relevant council members on what being motorcycle friendly involves.

While there is an official process for declaring a town RV friendly, there is currently no such official process or representative body to declare a town, shire or region motorcycle friendly.

All it really takes is for the local authorities to embrace the concept, erect some welcoming signage, allocate motorcycle-only parking, produce motorcycle tourist brochures and suggested route maps, and advise local businesses on how they can make riders welcome.

Shire discusses proposal

Mayor Campbell says they have agreed to discuss the whole shire becoming motorcycle friendly at next month’s Council meeting.

South Burnett Regional Council motorcycle friendly shire Bunya Mountains
Quaint towns of the South Burnett

He credited the idea to Harley rider and menswear shop owner Mark Smith of Murgon.

Mark contacted Motorbike Writer to discuss the project and we later conferred with the Mayor and representatives.

Mayor Campbell says the South Burnett has many motorcycle-friendly drives available through a variety of landscapes with low traffic volumes. They include the Bunya Mountains and several crossings of the Great Dividing Range.

South Burnett Regional Council motorcycle friendly shire Bunya Mountains
Bunya Mountains scenery

“From Council’s point of view, this is another tourism market we should encourage,” he says.

“We already encourage inland tourists, caravanners and people who want a fishing holiday to visit us. Motorcyclists should be just as welcome.”

Tourism Queensland has estimated that motorcycle tourists spend up to $160 a day in local communities on food, drink, accommodation, fuel and necessities, while caravaners are more self-contained and only spend about $40 a day.

There is also discussion of Armidale in NSW and Echuca in Victoria joining the parade of Motorcycle Friendly towns. Do you know of any other regions considering welcoming riders?

  • Do we need an official process or representative body to formalise declaration of motorcycle friendly status, or are we just happy for communities to embrace us? Have your say in the comments section below.

South Burnett Regional Council motorcycle friendly shire Bunya Mountains
Northern approach to the Bunya Mts
  1. For friendly to mean something then something specific to motorcycling is needed perhaps? For example the Mt Glorious cafe owner has provided compressed air and emergency puncture repair for us on occasion. The Boonah Flavours cafe has a cabinet with chain lube and visor cleaner for free, just put it back when you’re done.
    Perhaps sell those cheap emergency rain ponchos for those of us who forget our wet weather gear.
    Have a garage in the town capable of fixing a motorcycle flat, tube or tubeless.

  2. What a joke the Sth Burnett Regional Council is.

    Council were quick to jump on the ‘biker friendly’ gravy train, but for the past 4 years have not offered one bit of assistance to a particular biker event.

    This year, instead of continuing to ignore the event, Council seem to be deliberately trying to destroying it completely.
    The Freedom concert was first held in Wooroolin in 2014 and last years event was held within the township of Maidenwell utilising the Hotel grounds and Sports Grounds for free camping.
    Their extremely selective support and obvious bias media coverage by their own outlet (southburnett.com.au – domain owned by SBRC) is unacceptable.
    Is the Shire Council a biker friendly Shire, or just pretending.

    I lodged an application on Jan 2nd 2018 for use of the Maidenwell Sports Grounds once again for camping at this years Freedom Concert in November.
    Stamped & receipted at Council Chambers after they rang around to ensure it was available for that date.

    I received a letter yesterday (15/2) that another application was lodged AFTER mine for another event for the same day and that there was (conveniently all of a sudden) an issue with my application.

    NO notification was received or contact had from them prior over ANY concerns or issue with my application.
    Once again in my opinion, this is a deliberate act of disruption and corrupt activity being openly displayed from the SBRC.

    The Freedom Concert WILL be going ahead – regardless.

    Send the acting CEO – Peter O’May & Council an email and let them know …
    pomay@southburnett.qld.gov.au
    info@southburnett.qld.gov.au

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