Cyclists and walkers could have an exciting new route to Federal Falls on Mount Canobolas under a project being considered for funding.
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The Orange Mountain Bike Club is proposing to construct a six kilometre trail from the Lidster Rural Fire Service station near the corner of Cargo and Boree roads following the Boree Creek to the base of the Federal Falls.
The falls are currently accessible via a 2.5 kilometre walking trail down from the top of Mount Canobolas.
The club is seeking $140,000 under the state government's My Community Project scheme.
Public voting on the proposal, one of 41 in the Orange state electorate vying for a share of $260,000 is open until August 15 online at the My Community Project webpage or by going to a Service NSW centre.
The mountain bike club's track development officer Scott Charlton said the gravel-based trail would be accessible to mountain bikes, possibly hybrid and recumbent bikes, and walkers and runners.
He said it would not have jumps or difficult sections but instead provide recreational access to the area, the scenic waterfall plus smaller falls on the way. "It is a gentle climb. The idea is to have a nice flowing path," he said.
Mr Charlton said the project would involve cleaning out the former logging plantation area creek of weeds and blackberries and stablilising river banks.
He said the trail would open the Glenwood State Forest to the public and become a tourist attraction.
Mr Charlton said there was potentially room for parking at the fire station.
"There's some areas there that could be used for parking. We haven't talked to the RFS yet," he said.
Under the My Community Project rules the money must be spent within 12 months of the funding being allocated which Mr Charlton said would be achieved.
"The budget includes construction of the track and an element of bush regeneration as well," he said.
"It is a petty ambitious undertaking for bush regeneration for the entire length of the river but it would be a tremendous boon for the area."
Mr Charlton said the mountain bike club would be able to provide some labour for the task and hoped it could become a wider community project.
"We would hope to get a bit of volunteer support," he said.
Club president Jack Rahilly said the work would benefit the environment.
"It is reinvigorating an area that has been rundown, creating a really nice setting for Orange," he said.
The trail is separate to plans for a mountain bike park on Mount Canobolas.
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