The WA Government is seeking to support the establishment of new Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) areas and major upgrades at existing ORV areas via a grants program for local governments.

The major funding initiative will help local governments meet the growing demand for safe, high quality recreational facilities for all-terrain vehicles, trail bikes and quad bikes.

Providing dedicated off-road vehicle (ORV) areas also helps riders stay away from environmentally or culturally sensitive areas such as national parks.

Funding of $4.8 million has been injected into the ORV Special Purpose Account, of which $4 million is available for grants of up to $1 million to construct new ORV areas, and $800,000 is available for grants of up to $200,000 for major upgrades at existing permitted ORV areas.

There are two streams:

Stream A: Establish new ORV areas: $1 million 

Examples of eligible inclusions that would be considered are:

• Construction of a new ORV area (or the first stage of a proposed larger area). Supporting infrastructure, including parking, lighting, access gates, surveillance equipment, utilities, etc.
• User and spectator amenities, such as water supply, picnic and barbeque facilities, toilet facilities, rubbish facilities.
• Signage.
• Fencing and walls/barriers.
• Landscaping and vegetation.
• Other items that meet the intent of improving the ORV user experience at the proposed new ORV area.

Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that include options for scaling a new ORV area, or part of a new ORV area, with corresponding proposed grant funding.

Stream B: Upgrade existing areas: Up to $200,000 

Examples of eligible inclusions that would be considered under this grant program, are:

• Construction of a new ORV track within an existing ORV area.
• Supporting infrastructure, including parking, lighting, access gates, surveillance equipment, utilities, etc.
• User and spectator amenities, such as water supply, picnic and barbeque facilities, toilet facilities, rubbish facilities.
• Signage. 
• Fencing and walls/barriers. 
• Landscaping and vegetation. 
• Other items that meet the intent of improving the ORV user experience at existing ORV areas.

Priority will be given to applications that propose significant new infrastructure for riders, such as new tracks or trails to expand or significantly improve an existing area.

Eligibility criteria:

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

• be a local government within Western Australia (local governments may propose to partner with other organisations to deliver works and/or operate the ORV area)
• if a joint submission between two or more local governments is made, propose how each local government will contribute to the project and what portion each will fund and/or deliver
• if a submission involves a partner other than a local government, propose how each project partner will contribute to the project and what portion each will fund and/or deliver
• be able to demonstrate capacity to deliver the construction of a new ORV area, or major works at an existing permitted ORV area within the relevant local government district
• provide evidence of support (or absence of opposition) for the proposal across relevant state agencies.
• provide a clear project plan with itemised eligible costs
• provide a process of how public consultation will occur if funding is recommended.

Applications that demonstrate significant in-kind commitments from the applicant (such as internal capability to obtain relevant statutory approvals and complete civil construction work) will be favourably considered.

• Email: orv@dlgsc.wa.gov.au