For a number of years, the concept of a National Trails Alliance has been discussed, particularly at the biennial National Tracks and Trails Conferences. It was argued that although trails are generally planned, built and managed by State and Local Governments, there are a number of issues and functions, such as trail standards and information sharing, which could be approached from a national perspective.  At the recent 2008 National Tracks and Trails Conference, a pre Conference workshop was scheduled to discuss the issue further, with rigorous debate about possible functions, structure and funding models.

At the Plenary session of the 2008 National Tracks and Trails Conference on 14^th March, the concept of an organisation, provisionally named Trails Australia was launched, with a Steering Committee tasked to progress a number of actions leading to the eventual establishment of a legal entity.  The two primary goals of Trails Australia are:

§  To establish and position a national funding model (eg. a trust or central funding authority) for attracting and distributing new and alternative funding sources (eg. Federal, philanthropic, State, commercial) for trails; and

§  To establish a network knowledge base for trails.

This will be achieved by presenting:

§  a strategic approach to raising awareness of the importance of sustainable trail development to government, business and the community;

§  a national approach to advocating for appropriate funding that will achieve governments’ strategic targets;

§  a national approach to establishing consistency in national standards (eg. for signage, construction, maintenance, etc);

§  a strategic approach to driving the national research agenda; and

§  a strategic approach to community empowerment.

Trails Australia stakeholders will include:

§  Government – Federal/State/Local (Health, Sport and Recreation, Tourism, Planning, Environment, Transport, Regional Development, etc);

§  Business (Industry groups, commercial investors);

§  NGO’s/QANGO’s; (state and local community representation from within and external to the sector);

§  Research partners (Cooperative Research Centres, tertiary institutions); and

§  Champions.

The interim Board, to be established by 30 May 2008, will:

§  Develop the Strategic Plan by December 2008;

§  Commence the dialogue at the Federal Government level;

§  Co-ordinate the hosting of the next National Tracks and Trails Conference (April 2009); and

§  Source ongoing funding of $250K pa from Year 2.

As an interim measure, the Outdoor Council of Australia is undertaking administrative tasks on behalf of the Trails Australia Steering Committee.  As both Government and non-Government organisations will benefit from this initiative, financial contributions are being sought from stakeholder groups to assist with the administration costs to establish Trails Australia.  If you would like to make a financial contribution, please telephone 07 3369 9455 or email secretariat@outdoorcouncil.asn.au.

Should you have any general enquiries about Trails Australia please do not hesitate to call any of the Steering Committee members whose contact details appear below.  

Trails Australia Steering Committee:

Ralph Gurr (Executive Officer, Outdoors WA)                      

Ph: 08 9248 6677

Christian Haag (General Manager Bicycle SA)                     

Ph: 0409 950 884

Kathy Kingsford (President, Outdoor Council of Australia)   

Ph: 0428 699 455

Michael Oxer (past President, Railtrails Australia Inc)          

Ph: 03 5156 8228

Tony Scott (Executive Officer, Mountain Bike Australia)       

Ph: 07 4959 1913