Funding will be available to short-term projects and activities that contribute to local and regional prosperity, wellbeing and sustainability, such as upgrading community facilities and equipment, implementing unique STEM projects in schools, mentoring and developing local business communities, and hosting community events.

The Inland Rail’s Community Grants Program supports community-initiated projects, events or activities, which: 

• are one-off and short-term 
• contribute to the community’s wellbeing, prosperity and/or sustainability 
• focus on one or more of Inland Rail’s priority areas of culture, safety, environment, recreation and, entrepreneurism 
• align with the core values of Inland Rail which are future thinking, active engagement, no harm, results 
• are delivered into the eligible communities on the Inland Rail alignment between Beveridge (VIC) and Parkes (NSW).

Funding amounts

Eligible organisations can apply for amounts between $1,000 and $4,000. 

There will be four rounds per calendar year:

Application forms must be sent to IRcommunitygrants@inlandrail.com.au (a signed, scanned copy of the application form) by 6:00pm on the due date.

Eligibility requirements

Eligibility includes: 

• organisations and community groups which are not-for-profit, legal entities which hold a current ABN 
• non-incorporated community groups and clubs must be auspiced by an eligible organisation which is nominated as the legal entity on the application form 
• Aboriginal Land Councils and Traditional Owner Groups in the Beveridge to Parkes alignment area 
• local government entities in the Beveridge to Parkes alignment area 
• organisations and community groups must be located in the eligible local government areas (nominated by Inland Rail Pty Ltd) with priority likely to be given to communities nearest the Inland Rail alignment 
• applications must be made in full, be signed by an office holder of the organisation or community group and submitted by the closing date for the relevant round 
• projects must be one-off, short-term activities that relate to identified priority areas and contribute to their community’s wellbeing, prosperity and sustainability.

What is not eligible: 

• religious, political, private individual or business events and activities 
• organisations or community groups not aligned with Inland Rail values or have direct links to tobacco, illegal drugs, negative impacts on health or associated with risk-taking activities 
• requests for prize money, ongoing or retrospective activities, or to cover costs associated with making an application.

• Email: IRcommunitygrants@inlandrail.com.au