Inland Rail’s impact on the communities it serves will not only come in the form of rail services.
The project announced 19 initiatives from laptops to Dolly Parton to improve the wellbeing of the communities which the project interacts with.
The announcement is the third round of the Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations program, and includes over $55,000 for schools, community groups, and associations in regional Queensland, NSW, and Victoria.
Director of engagement, environment and property for Inland Rail, Rebecca Pickering outlined the project’s rationale.
“A key commitment of Inland Rail is to leave a positive legacy along the rail corridor and the Community Sponsorships and Donations program is just one example of how we seek to ensure regional communities benefit from this unique project,” she said.
Over $180,000 worth of grants covering events, projects, and activities, have been announced so far.
The next round of funding is now open, and groups can apply for funding of between $1,000 and $4,000 until Friday, January 31.
“These grants are in addition to the support Australian Rail Track Corporation is providing to bushfire impacted communities which includes raising funds for the Bushfire Crisis Appeal and encouraging volunteering by employees,” said Pickering.
Grants in this round went to projects including the Narromine Dolly Parton Festival, the purchase of tools for the Gundy Men’s Shed, five laptops for Forbes Public School, and the Mitchell Community Multicultural Festival.