Rail Trails Australia (RTA) is a 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’s grants program supports community organisations to undertake activities which are aligned with RTA’s strategic plan.

The objectives of the Community Grants 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
• increase rail trails across Australia, particularly in underrepresented states.

Two levels of grants are available:

• Small grants up to $2000
  Projects or activities may be fully or partly funded by RTA.

• Large grants up to $10,000
  Large projects will be part-funded by RTA. To be eligible, the organisation must contribute significant funds. Contributions may be from multiple community organisations working together. 

The project or activities must 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 (e.g. user counters)
• Improve accessibility for all people
• 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 or potential rail trail 
  

CONDITIONS

• The rail trail must be open or the activity will support the opening of a prospective rail trail or extension which has local support
  (Note: for prospective rail trails, all states may be eligible however NSW and Tasmania are underrepresented and will be prioritised).
• 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 RTA.
• 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 2027. 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 one-page report to be provided at the end, along with at least 4 high resolution, good quality photos, which may be used by RTA for promotion.

DECISION PROCESS

1. A sub-committee of the RTA Committee will consider and prioritise the applications and recommend the prioritised list to the RTA Committee. Considerations will include:
   • alignment with one or more of the objectives
   • likely impact of the project
   • other contributions – financial (required for grants over $2000) or in-kind
   • readiness of the project and ability to be completed on time
   • 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 October 2026.
4. The committee’s decision will be final.

Download the Information Pack

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

Applications to be submitted via this online application form by 30 September 2026

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