Trail Maintenance Fund

Applications open 1 February 2025

Ashburton District offers many beautiful places where our residents and visitors, enjoy walking and cycling.

Many trails are set against the stunning Mid Canterbury back country, unique with endangered birds, huge landscapes, towering mountains, braided rivers, waterfalls and lakes. These trails attract tourists to the area and provide endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Council recognises the value of the existing walking and cycling trails located throughout the district.

Purpose

The purpose of the Trail Maintenance Fund is to support the maintenance of existing trails within Ashburton District.

Funding

The maximum individual grant available is $5,000 and can be no more than 50% of the total cost. The applicants’ share of the programme’s cost can be in kind, or financial. Volunteer time shall be estimated using the minimum wage at the time of the application.

All grants must comply with Council’s Community Grants and Funding Policy.

Funding can be used for:

Materials e.g. retaining materials, bridging materials, concrete, geo-matting, gravel, etc.
Tools e.g. spades, rakes, grubbers, wheelbarrows, etc.
Equipment hire e.g. compactors, power barrows, etc.
Labour costs and contractors.

Grant Eligibility

All Trail Maintenance Fund recipients must meet the following criteria:

Be a volunteer-led walking, hiking, cycling and mountain biking trail/trails in Mid Canterbury
Funds must be used for maintenance of existing trails
The trail must be located within Ashburton District boundaries (between the Rakitata (Rangitata) and Rakaia Rivers’)
Be provided by a non-profit organisation or group.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must be:

Non-profit and based in the Ashburton District
Applications from a national organisation must be made from the local branch of that organisation
Applications will only be accepted on the completed Trail Maintenance Fund Application form
Incomplete and late applications that do not provide all of the requested information will be excluded from funding assessment

Assessment Considerations

Council will consider the following:

Maintenance work planned
Projected attendance numbers (past attendance numbers if available)
Voluntary input

Disclaimer

The final funding decisions are made at the discretion of Ashburton District Council. Successful applicants’ project details may be used for publicity purposes.

Funding Agreement

Successful applicants must complete and return an accountability form on the completion of the project, and within the financial year which funds were granted. Receipts are required for all expenditure.

Organisations that do not return a completed accountability form will not be eligible for future Council grant funding.

Community Projects Grant Accountability Form (includes Trail Maintenance)