Rail Trail Community Grants – 2025 Information Pack

Rail Trails Australia (RTA) is a predominantly volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation which works for the development and promotion of a rail trail network Australia-wide.

Our vision is for Australia’s disused rail corridors to be preserved for their heritage and natural values and enjoyed by the community and visitors, including for active recreation, such as walking, cycling and horse riding.

Community organisations are critical to the establishment and success of many of Australia’s rail trails and undertake an enormous amount of work. RTA is conducting a $10,000 grants program to support community organisations to undertake activities which are aligned with RTA’s work.

Grants applications for up to $4000 per rail trail are open and close Saturday 16 August 2025

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the grant program are to:
➢ Support and foster community involvement in the development and promotion of rail trails across Australia
➢ Contribute to the physical improvement of rail trails, including improving access to rail trails by all members of the community
➢ Increase the usage of rail trails
➢ Enable the community to better understand and appreciate rail trails: the environmental, cultural and historical values of individual rail trails and their surroundings

GRANTS

Community organisations can apply for a grant up to
● $2000 – if the project is fully funded by RTA, OR
● $4000 – if the organisation contributes significant additional financial contribution to the project

Funding applications must be for activities that will achieve one or more of the following:
➢ Increase appreciation and understanding of the rail trail, its history and/or surroundings (e.g. artwork, interpretative signage, information – digital and/or print)
➢ Establish mechanisms to measure and report on rail trail usage
➢ Improve accessibility, particularly for less able users
➢ Engage new users, local or otherwise (e.g. special event)
➢ Improve maintenance that facilitates use (e.g. equipment)
➢ Improve the environment on a rail trail (e.g. revegetation, habitat improvement)
➢ Promote the rail trail

CONDITIONS

➢The rail trail must be open

➢The proposed activity must be consistent with any current development or management plan (or similar)

➢If the organisation is NOT legally responsible for managing the rail trail, any physical works must be approved by the rail trail manager and maintenance provided for, if relevant

➢Organisations may be specific to a rail trail, for example Friends of XYZ Rail Trail, or may be a community organisation with an affiliation with a rail trail

➢The applicant or organisation applying must be a member of Rail Trails Australia➢No more than one project will be funded per rail trail however more than one application may be submitted and multiple organisations may apply together

➢Any signage or printed material (digital, print or other) will acknowledge RTA funding and include the RTA logo and QR link to RTA website

➢All works and activities must be completed and funds expended by 30 June 2026. Organisations must inform RTA of any significant delays or issues related to the project

➢Receipts must be provided to RTA for reimbursement at the completion of the project (phased release of the funding may be considered by RTA, to be included in the application)

➢RTA will reimburse up to the amount as per the original application for receipts provided. Any increase in this amount will be met by the organisation unless RTA agrees otherwise

➢A short report will be provided at the end, along with at least 2 high resolution photos, which may be used by RTA for RTA related productions

DECISION PROCESS

1. A sub-committee of the RTA Committee will consider and prioritise the applicationsand recommend the prioritised list to the full Committee. Considerations will include:
   a. alignment with one or more of the objectives
   b. likely impact of the project
   c. other contributions – in-kind or financial (required for grants over $2000)
   d. readiness of the project and ability to be completed on time
   e. spread of projects across Australia
2. Funding allocations will be determined by the RTA Committee.
3. Applicants will be notified by email by the end of September 2025.
4. The Committee’s decision will be final.

Any inquiries to gr****@************rg.au

Applications to be submitted via our online application form by Saturday 16 August 2025.

The Riesling Trail used funding for installation of drinking fountains in 2024