Four Flinders University graduates are delighted at the announcement of an international mountain bike trails complex to be developed in the southern Flinders Ranges, validated by their 2018 university project.

The project was undertaken by Flinders Business students in their Industry Project topic. This marries the expertise of Flinders business academics and industry mentors, to guide students through a real-world challenge.

The Remarkable Southern Flinders Ranges project was launched in July as part of the Government of South Australia’s Parks 2025 strategy to reinvigorate regional communities and cement the state’s reputation for eco-tourism. The Mount Remarkable nature-based attraction will also include upgraded hiking trails and visitor facilities.

Made possible by $10 million in federal and state government grants, the opportunity was informed in part by the students, who collaborated with the Port Pirie Regional Council for their Industry Project in 2018 to explore venture tourism opportunities.

Students Laura Carr, Sarah Hyland, Stephanie Lovato and Teal Watkins worked intensely as a team for 12 weeks, submitting their final report that recommended the council abandon a beachside cycle way on the table, and instead embrace the students’ vision for an international-standard mountain bike trail system.

Laura Carr, who has now graduated from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Business (Management) and works as a business consultant for the SA Business Advisory Service, says: “Our research suggested mountain biking would offer more benefits to the region, it was growing in popularity and riders were likely to venture into regional areas which could drive overnight stays and further economic growth.

“We also noted domestic travellers seek a variety of experiences, and trails of this nature would complement nearby attractions like the Bendleby Ranges at Orroroo, or Bartagunyah Estate Wines.”

Project partner Teal Watkins, a mountain biker himself who has also graduated from a Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship) and works at Volleyball SA, says: “The Port Pirie Council was fantastic to work with and generous with their local knowledge.

“Through visiting the region we highlighted an area north west of Port Pirie that could be an ideal trailhead, given existing infrastructure and its easy access from Pirie. We recommended phase one could deliver trails for recreational and professional mountain bikers, to be built on later with complementary tourism activities and facilities.”

The students worked in the real-world consultancy model of the Industry Project that ensures a professional standard result. They received support and mentoring by Flinders Business’ Bill Cinnamond, who has extensive consulting experience and a 20-year public sector leadership career; and Darren Oemcke, who also boasts a wealth of business consultancy experience.

Ms Carr says: “It was intense, but we learnt so much. It was a little daunting presenting to the advisory board and we had plenty of challenges to overcome, but the process was incredibly valuable and sense of accomplishment so rewarding.”

Together with the practical learning experience, the trails will be an impressive South Australian attraction that the students can share pride in as they take shape.

Mr Watkins says: “We had to do an enormous amount of research, investigation and stakeholder engagement to produce a full economic analysis, marketing plan and business case. Seeing the project now go ahead is just fantastic.”

The project was initiated by James Holyman, who was Director Corporate and Community at the Port Pirie Regional Council at the time and is now CEO of the District Council of Robe. Mr Holyman said the Port Pirie Council’s early investigation into venture tourism opportunities was done on the “smell of an oily rag” and is a “great example of what you can do for the economic revitalisation of some struggling towns.”

The Industry Project is run out of the College of Business, Government and Law at Flinders University. Supervised by a project executive who is an experienced professional and expert in the project area, student teams also gain feedback from a rigorous advisory board comprising experts from blue-chip consultancy PwC and successful entrepreneurs. Now in its fifth year, the program has worked with companies like Gemtree Wines, Willunga Farmers Market, Maggie Beer, Ferguson Australia, HomeStart Finance and Charlesworth Nuts to deliver gold standard consultancy at a fraction of the market cost.

The Remarkable Southern Flinders Ranges project is the result of extensive collaboration between a number of partners including:

• PIRSA
• Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
• National Parks and Wildlife Service
• Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife
• Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North
• Northern and Yorke Landscape Board
• Nukuna Wapma Thura (Aboriginal Corporation)
• Port Pirie Regional Council
• District Council of Mount Remarkable
• Northern Areas Council