14/9/02
Sport and Recreation Minister Alan Carpenter today announced more than $500,000 in Lotteries Commission funding to build or upgrade recreational trails throughout Western Australia.
"WA boasts almost 3,000km of trails for walking, cycling and horse riding, which make significant economic contributions to local communities," Mr Carpenter said.
"The State Government is doing all it can to increase physical activity levels among Western Australians, and one way we can achieve this is through well built, well managed and accessible trails."
Mr Carpenter said this was the fifth round of funding through the Trailswest program, with almost 60 per cent of the funding to go towards building new trails.
Among the projects approved for funding in 2002-2003 were:
- Shire of Nannup - $50,000 to develop the 50 km Nannup to Claymore siding rail reserve into a trail for cyclists and walkers. The trail will provide a link to other trails and has been identified as a priority in the State Trails Master Plan;
- Munda Biddi Trail Foundation - $50,000 for trail alignment costs, brochures, maps and guides for second stage of the long distance mountain bike trail between Collie and Pemberton;
- Shire of Busselton - $17,000 to construct a trail from Castle Bay to Castle Rock. The trail will be particularly useful for seniors and families with prams;
- Shire of Exmouth - $32,925 to complete a 5.5km multi-use trail around the Exmouth Townsite;
- Shire of Irwin - $50,000 for a 650m boardwalk trail to allow access to the Irwin River Estuary Nature Park. It will also be accessible to people with disabilities and will link to existing trails;
- Shire of Wickepin - $26,700 to construct a 1.5km walk trail in the Wickepin townsite to link places of heritage and cultural significance; and
- Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council - $50,000 approved to develop promotional materials and maps for 31 trails in the Swan, Mundaring and Kalamunda local government areas, including a website for the downloading and printing of maps.
Since its inception five years ago, the joint Lotteries Commission/Department of Sport and Recreation funding program has allocated over $2.5million.
Mr Carpenter said that under the program, local governments and community groups could obtain grants on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
"The funding further enhances WA's status as the host of the Second Australian Tracks and Trails Conference
Making Tracks 2002, to be held in Mandurah in October," he said.
"This national conference will look at the future of tracks and trails and their needs in terms of planning, management and outcomes for the environment and business.
"The Lotteries Commission is a significant conference sponsor and I wish to express my appreciation for their support."
Making Tracks 2002
will be held at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, October 14-16.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
