Trail Planning Grants Program

Ineligible organisations

• State and Commonwealth government agencies.
• Unincorporated not-for-profit organisations.
• Commercial or for-profit organisations.
• Educational institutions/agencies including schools, universities, and TAFE colleges.

Trail Planning Grants Program Investment Framework

• The Trail Planning Grants Program is an application-based program with funding allocated to support the scope and scale of trail planning projects.
• The program is an open and competitive grants program with applications assessed against the assessment criteria and ranked based on the merits of proposals.
• Organisations are able to apply for between $5,000 and $25,000.
• Projects must be delivered from 1 June 2023 and conclude by 31 December 2024.
• Organisations must make a co-contribution of financial and/or in-kind support to the value of at least 50% of the total project costs.
• Grants should not constitute the entire financial base of an organisation.
• Auspice arrangements are not accepted.

Funding can be used for

• Consultant fees.
• Presenter fees associated with delivery of training and workshops and Aboriginal cultural engagement activities.
• Venue and equipment hire (not owned or occupied by applicant).
• Interstate and Intrastate travel and accommodation costs related to the development of the trail plan, up to 20% of the total project budget (for example, consultant travel to regional locations from Perth).
• Transport costs (for example, car hire for site assessment).
• Advertising, publicity, promotion, marketing, printing and publishing costs.
• Provision of interpreting and translating services.

Funding cannot be used for

• Planning of projects on privately owned land.
• Existing, ongoing or recurrent organisational costs (for example, employee salaries and employment costs, insurance, lease or rental payments, administration expenses).
• Projects that would be more appropriately supported through an alternative funding source or existing DLGSC grants program.
• Projects undertaken outside Western Australia.
• Projects that have already been funded by DLGSC, unless it expands the reach (for example, completing stages five and six of a project that had previously acquitted a grant for stages one to four of the TDP).
• Programs that have already taken place or have commenced.
• Capital works (for example, purchase of land or buildings, repairs, extensions, renovations, maintenance or trail construction).
• Purchase of capital equipment (for example, computers, photocopiers and vehicles).
• Purchase of merchandise or equipment (for example, clothing, uniforms, navigation equipment, safety equipment, water bottles).
• Trophies, prize money or gifts.
• Hospitality functions (for example, catering, alcohol, entertainment).

How to apply

Application information

• Read and understand the grant guidelines before commencing the application process.
• Read and familiarise yourself with Part A of the WA Trail Development Series and the WA Strategic Trails Blueprint before applying.
• Discuss your project with a DLGSC Trails Team member before applying and request an application form (refer to further information for contact details).
• Only one application per organisation will be considered.
• Late applications will not be accepted.
• Incomplete applications may be considered unsuccessful upon submission.
• Complete all sections of the application form and submit with the following supporting documentation:
  • A copy of your organisation’s incorporation certificate (if not already provided to DLGSC).
  • A copy of current public liability insurance certificate (minimum required is $10 million) (if not already provided to DLGSC).
  • Letters of support from active partners.
  • Existing plans, strategies and/or master plans.
  • Any proposal/scope of works relating to the project.

Submit your application form and supporting documentation to trails@dlgsc.wa.gov.au by 5pm on Monday 27 February 2023.

Assessment, approval and acquittal process

Assessment and approval process

• The DLGSC Grants Administrators will assess applications for compliance with the eligibility criteria. 
• The DLGSC Grants Assessors will conduct a preliminary assessment of eligible applications against the assessment criteria and provide a summary, which may include scores, rankings, funding allocations and rationale, for the assessment panel to consider. 
• A panel will be formed to conduct an independent review of the assessment process, the preliminary assessment information and ratify recommended applicants to be submitted to the DLGSC Director General for endorsement.
• The panel will comprise two independent DLGSC staff and one independent external assessor with trail planning expertise. 
• The DLGSC Director General to endorse the recommended applicants and submit to the Minister for Sport and Recreation for approval. 
• The Minister for Sport and Recreation to approve the recommended applicants as per the relevant funding source legislation. 
• Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing. 
• Applicants may not be successful and may not be funded to the full amount requested.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Strategic alignment and planning
   The application demonstrates that the project is aligned to the WA Strategic Trails Blueprint and other local, regional and/or state plans.
2. Consultation and stakeholder support
   The application demonstrates a well-planned consultation process and stakeholder support including the following:
   • Community and stakeholder consultation methodologies that are appropriate to the scope, scale and complexity of the project.
   • Support and/or approval from land managers and/or local government that are appropriate to the scope, scale and complexity of the project.
   • Ensure that appropriate consideration is given to Aboriginal heritage, enterprise and interpretation.
3. Organisational capacity and capability
   The organisation demonstrates its capacity and capability to deliver the project and manage identified risks. 
4. Project Plan and Budget
   The application includes a detailed outline of the project. It is based on a realistic budget and represents value for money.

Each assessment criteria are weighted equally.

Conditions of funding agreements

• If your organisation has an ABN and is registered for Good and Services Tax (GST), the grant will be grossed up by 10% of the grant amount.
• If your organisation has an ABN and is not registered for GST, no GST will be paid.

Grant agreement

• Approved applicants will be required to enter into a grant agreement that outlines the grant conditions, key deliverables, and acquittal requirements. Once signed and returned, the grant will be paid directly to the eligible applicant body.
• Successful organisations will be required to provide evidence of key deliverables prior to conducting the project including, but not limited to, an appropriate risk assessment process has been undertaken, support for the project has been confirmed by key stakeholders (e.g., land managers) and statutory approvals have been obtained.
• No grant monies will be paid to an individual.

Acquittal requirements

• At the completion of the project, your organisation will need to complete an acquittal report to demonstrate that the funding has been spent in accordance with the grant agreement.
• Your acquittal report must be submitted within 30 days of the project completion date as specified in the grant agreement.

DLGSC acknowledgement and evaluation

• Successful organisations will be required to acknowledge DLGSC. Further details will be provided to successful applicants within their grant agreement.
• Successful organisations will be required to participate in any research and/or evaluations relating to this funding and/or funded projects.

Further information

Orazio Santalucia
Senior Project Officer
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
Telephone 61 8 9492 9902
Email trails@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
246 Vincent Street, Leederville WA 6007