Deal: Yarra Ranges Council has secured approvals for the creation of the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination.

Value: Undisclosed

Area: Projects and development

Key players: The MinterEllison team was led by partner Joshua Dellios and lawyer Dani Davidovits.

Deal significance: As per a statement provided by MinterEllison, the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination is a network of trails nestled among mountains surrounding Warburton, within state forest and national park. The project is set to create the largest mountain bike destination in Australia, comprising over 160 kilometres of trails.

“The project is intended to bring visitors from across the world to experience Warburton’s natural beauty and relaxing village atmosphere. The project was designed to set a new benchmark in environmental protection, management and performance for mountain bike trails and to encourage an inclusive and family-orientated atmosphere,” MinterEllison said.

“The project was required to prepare an Environment Effects Statement (EES), which totalled over 3,500 pages in length and detailed the environmental, social and economic effects of the project. The EES went on public exhibition in late 2021, with over 2,700 submissions being received. The project was then examined by an independent inquiry and advisory committee, [which] was tasked with providing an integrated assessment of the environmental effects of the project.

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“Over the course of a public hearing lasting for 15 days, the inquiry and advisory committee considered expert evidence and submissions covering a broad spectrum of issues, including the appropriate use of national parks and protected water supply catchments; potential impacts on a range of threatened species, habitats and other biodiversity values; bushfire and traffic management; and a complex planning and statutory framework designed to protect the unique values within the upper Yarra region.”

The statement continued: “Following the conclusion of the hearing, the inquiry and advisory committee reported to the Minister for Planning, and on 28 October 2022, the minister gave the green light for the project to proceed, finding that the project’s potential environmental effects and risks are acceptable (subject to certain modifications).”

Commenting further, MinterEllison lead partner Joshua Dellios said: “It’s a real honour to be able to work with [the Yarra Ranges] Council to unlock opportunities for people of all experience levels to explore the natural wonder and beauty of the upper Yarra region.

“I firmly believe that the project will have a meaningful impact on building society’s connection with nature and creating a more sustainable world.”