The Allan Labor Government is enhancing Victoria’s local waterways with projects that protect the environment and create more green open spaces for the community to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Minister for Water Harriet Shing recently opened the second round of the Green Links Grant Program, with $2 million to be invested across projects that help to restore and improve local waterways all over Victoria.

Under round two, eligibility has been extended to also include projects delivered by schools – giving young people more opportunities to get involved in restoring and safeguarding the state’s precious rivers and creeks.

Community groups, water and land managers, Traditional Owners, local councils and now schools are encouraged to apply for project funding between $20,000 and $350,000.

Victoria’s waterways are home to more than 1,800 species of native plants and 600 species of native animals and revegetation projects are essential for the health of our waterways and their parkland corridors.

Projects funded through the Green Links Grants are creating more environmental corridors and helping native plants flourish. Funding will help target urban areas that have experienced a loss of green spaces.

The first round of the Green Links Grant Program saw 23 projects share more than $6 million, supporting the revegetation of almost 200 hectares of land across the Yarra, Maribyrnong, Werribee, and Barwon Rivers and their connecting tributaries and waterways.

Successful projects include $464,000 to improve habitat conditions and connectivity along a 4 kilometre stretch of the much-loved Merri Creek in Melbourne’s inner north, more than $700,000 for 13 revegetation sites along the Yarrowee River and tributaries around Ballarat, and much more.

The $10 million Green Links Grant Program builds on the Labor Government’s $262 million investment in maintaining the health and resilience of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria and Melbourne.

For more information on the Green Links Grants Program and future funding opportunities, visit water.vic.gov.au/grants/green-links-grants.

Quote attributable to Minister for Water Harriet Shing

“As our communities grow, it’s so important to respect and protect our precious waterways and the environments that we know and love - the Green Links Grants are helping more people to get involved, and to make a positive and lasting difference.”

Quote attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie

“Projects funded through the Green Links Grants are creating more environmental corridors and helping native plants flourish – supporting the long-term health of our creeks and rivers now and into the future.”