A Strategic Blueprint for the Development of Trails in Western Australia 2016 - 2021

~~1.1 A) BACKGROUND
The current WA Trails Strategy expires in 2015 and the Trails Reference Group (TRG) has endorsed the need for a new six year blueprint through to 2021. The blueprint will provide guidance for the sustainable development, provision, management, maintenance, resourcing and promotion of trails throughout Western Australia. It is intended that the blueprint will be used to:
• Provide a clear framework to guide government decision making, funding and resource allocation for recreational trails in the state;
• Establish an implementation plan for the state (this will guide the future work of the TRG);
• Provide the opportunity for land managers to adopt a proactive approach to trail provision across the State;
• Assess trails grant applications (including the existing Lotterywest Trails Grants) against a state-wide strategic document; and
• Provide a guiding document to the Western Australian community for trails development.

B) PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The strategic trails blueprint is intended to set out a six year shared vision for the future of trails development in WA. This will include:
• Emerging trends in trails types, usage, maintenance, promotion or resourcing;
• The potential social, health and economic impact of trails in WA;
• Future environmental, access and sustainability challenges and opportunities;
• Potential partnering or cross referencing in agendas such as tourism, education, health and transport;
• Cultural, heritage and interpretation; and
• Participation challenges towards 2021.