- Hiking Participation Grants Program aims to get more people on trails and bush walks
- 10 projects across WA to receive a total of $187,810 in McGowan Government funding
- Money will help people of all ages, cultures, and abilities to take part in hiking
A walking project to help people heal while grieving, a nature-based adaptive hiking program for those who live with disability and a hike project to unite Ukrainians are among 10 recipients sharing a total of nearly $188,000 in State Government funding.
Western Australia's Hiking Participation Grants Program offers up to $25,000 per eligible organisation to grow the amount of people getting outdoors and taking part in safe hiking, trail running and bushwalking. The program encourages creative and innovative ways to get Western Australians of any age, cultural background, or ability to start or continue hiking.
The 10 projects set to receive grants in the latest round of funding include a community celebration of the Bibbulmun Track's 25th Anniversary as well as family-focused activities such as a scavenger hunt in the Wheatbelt to encourage young people to start hiking.
All up, $187,810 is being distributed - through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries - to help these hiking projects on the right path to reach their peak:
- $19,300 to ATLAS Bush Walking Project;
- $25,000 to the Bibbulmun Track Foundation Inc.;
- $12,090 to Break the Boundary Inc. for WA Immersive Nature-Based Adaptive Hiking Participation Program;
- $10,500 to the Shire of Chittering for Chittering Scavenger Hunt Hike Series;
- $20,084 to The Grief Centre of WA for Walking With Grief Project (Wheatbelt);
- $20,536 to City of Wanneroo for Experience the Yaberoo Budjara Trail;
- $23,200 to Outdoors Great Southern for Outdoor Families Project;
- $17,000 to the Shire of Collie for Hike Ability Project;
- $15,850 to Trails WA Inc. Education Hiking Video Content Project; and
- $24,250 to United Ukrainians Incorporated. Ukrainian Hike Project.
The program is open to local governments, community organisations and active recreation clubs and associations, and aligns with the WA Hiking Strategy 2020-2030. For more information, visit the DLGSC website.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"We're very lucky to have the most wonderful trails and bush walks on our doorstep here in Western Australia and it's important to ensure access for all.
"I recently approved an increase in the McGowan Government budget allocation for WA's Hiking Participation Grants Program to help grow the amount of people running, walking or adaptive hiking on our incredible trails and bush land.
"We know hiking has a positive impact on individuals, communities, and the State; from improving mental health, to economic benefits of getting people visiting different parts of WA.
"The Hiking Participation Grants Program improves entry-level opportunities and also projects that develop skills for independent hiking. This results in youth, people with disability and multicultural community members getting involved in one of WA's much-loved pastimes that should be accessible for everyone."
