MEDIA RELEASE – 7 July 2010
Makin Trax Australia, a small innovative local business born out of the Canberra Bushfires, last night scooped the Businessowner Micro-Business Award at the 2010 Telstra ACT Business Awards. The business designs, constructs, maintains and remediates mountain bike, walking and multi-use track networks in Canberra and the region.
“To be an award finalist was a major thrill – and to now be a winner is a dream come true,” said Makin Trax Australia business owner, Darren Stewart.
Makin Trax was established in 2005 by Darren and his partner Heather. Darren, a passionate mountain biker, started out as a volunteer building some of Canberra’s most well known mountain biking tracks. It was the devastating bushfires of 2003, the reconstruction of Mt Stromlo and in particular the reconstruction of its mountain bike facilities, that turned Darren’s passion into his profession.
Makin Trax worked closely with the ACT Government’s, Territory Venues and Events to rebuild the area turning it into the world class facility that is Stromlo Forest Park, host of the 2009 UCI World Mountain Bike and Trials Championships. Makin Trax played a big part in delivering this world class event and the venue was widely hailed as the best on the world circuit.
“The key to our business is innovation. And its innovation that keeps us ahead of the game. We build new tools, new processes and new systems to create an unforgettable experience for all track users,” Darren said last night in his awards acceptance speech.
“When it comes to the trails that we build it’s not about the destination – it’s all about the journey,” he continued.
The business has recently completed several other major projects for the ACT Government’s, Parks Conservation and Lands, including the walking and multi-use tracks at Tidbinbilla, track remediation at Umbagong Park and the initial planning for a walking track at Gibraltar Rock. They also completed the Casuarina Walking Trail at Mt Majura and with the ACT Government’s support are working on the Centenary Trail concept, a grand network of off-road tracks that spans over 300km.
Darren last night thanked Makin Trax’ major clients the ACT Government for its vision and support of Stromlo Forest Park and recreational trail use in community areas. “We look forward to expanding our role as an integral and influential part of the fast growing track building industry in Australia, and on the international stage. And we have a vision for Canberra as the world’s best city for nature based and cycle tourism,” Darren concluded.