Trail experts Troy Rarick and Peter Solly to offer insight into Collie’s potential

Two international trail experts will tonight offer insight into the opportunities that may arise in Collie as it looks to become the State’s premier trail town.

Troy Rarick and Peter Solly will be on hand to answer the questions of interested community members as well as business owners keen to capitalise as the town looked to reposition itself in the tourism market.

Mr Rarick is a founder of a variety of mountain bike organisations in the United States and has previously visited the region twice.

He said Collie was well positioned to prosper as a trail town because of its tremendous landscape, its proximity to Perth and other developing trail towns.

“It also fits what they are needing to do in this economic climate,” he said.

“And I also love the fact that the Munda Biddi connects it all together which is a beautiful things that doesn’t happen a lot throughout the world.”

Mr Solly was the founder for the Centre for Excellence in cycle tourism and is a former chief executive of Bike SA.

Both men have been involved in the designing of trails and bike parks and now work with communities to develop their trail town potential.

Mr Rarick said he considered himself a guide to help the community realise the town’s potential.

“The geography of the area is right for mountain biking and there is a beautifully varied landscape from Collie down to Wellington Dam — it’s really magically diverse in terms of terrain and wildlife,” he said.

“There there is this town sitting there facing a bit of an ‘identity crisis’ and a question over its place in the world.

“I think it’s a perfect match — the people are in the right position, the lands in the right position and the locals are impassioned about it. I’m here to try to knit those pieces together in whichever way I can help.”

Collie shire president Sarah Stanley said the session was an opportunity not to be missed.

“As we journey towards becoming a trail town, the chance to network directly with experts who have lived this experience is invaluable.” she said.

“If we listen to the experts, we can learn from their mistakes and apply proven strategies to ensure businesses and entrepreneurs in town can gain full advantage.”

The session will take place from 6pm at Collie Senior High School.

For more information or to RSVP call 9734 9000 or email tracey.vogel@collie.wa.gov.au.