Warrnambool City Council, acting on behalf of the state government, has issued WMBC a five-year licence to use Thunder Point for training and races.

The decision gives the club, which has established itself on the Warrnambool sporting scene since its creation in 2007, a much-needed sense of security.

Club president Brett Easton said the announcement was “great news”. Easton said mountain bike riders wanted to play a role maintaining the landscape.

“We are a growing club with a really healthy, diverse membership and we have a lot of younger members,” he said.

“Thunder Point is particularly good for our young riders because they don’t need to rely on mum or dad to drive them there.

“A five-year lease means the club can concentrate on maintaining and improving track design and safety and not worry about whether or not we will still be riding at Thunder Point next year.”

Easton said WMBC had developed a “great working relationship” with the council, business and community groups in recent years.

He thanked volunteers, who had been instrumental in removing litter and weeds from Thunder Point and undertaking revegetation.

“We feel we’ve really demonstrated our commitment over the last eight years and we’re looking forward to upping the ante in that space,” he said.

With a permanent home, WMBC plans to build on its skills development program and continue to stage annual races.

The club has 87 members, down from about 130 at its peak, although that figure could rise in coming months on the back of the announcement.

The most popular race is the TP180, a three-hour enduro which attracts riders from across the region and is on July 5 this year. But the track network would become an asset for the Warrnambool community, not just the club, opening it up for recreational users.

Mountain bike riders joined civic leaders at Thunder Point to celebrate yesterday, with the final “poker race” of the WMBC season providing a backdrop.

Riders and Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group volunteers will return at 10am today to remove more weeds.

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au