More than $168,000 will be shared among 15 local governments and community organisations in a new grants program to increase participation in, and develop, the State's hiking industry.
Grants of up to $25,000 were available to eligible organisations through the WA Hiking Participation Grants program, which aims to provide new opportunities that grow participation in hiking or develop leaders including guides, instructors and volunteers.
Among the funded projects for the 2020-21 round are:
- a program to support Aboriginal elders and mentors to become hiking leaders in the Shire of Harvey;
- the creation of play trails within the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale to make hiking more accessible to families and children;
- a pop-up trail running event in the Shire of Chittering; and
- a hiking program for people with severe disability run by Friends of the Cape to Cape Track Inc.
The program was a response to the recommendations of the McGowan Government's WA Hiking Strategy 2020-2030, launched last June.
The strategy is the first of its kind in Australia, to ensure Western Australians continue to enjoy the great outdoors in a safe and sustainable way.
For a full list of successful applications or more information on the WA Hiking Participation Grants program, visit https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/funding/sport-and-recreation-funding/wa-hiking-participation-grants
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Tony Buti:
"Walking and running are some of the most accessible ways to get active, and we're extremely fortunate in WA to have such fascinating landscapes to explore and enjoy.
"Our unique and pristine natural environment lends itself to a vibrant bushwalking and trail running community, which is also a major tourism drawcard.
"However, there is a need for more gateway opportunities to hiking and more pathways to develop skills so that we can decrease barriers to participation.
"By investing in community organisations and local governments, we are enabling the delivery of programs that make hiking a more accessible form of physical activity to maximise the positive impact on individuals, communities and the State."
