Victorian Minister for Water Harriet Shing and Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous at the Green Links Grant Program announcement. Photo: Kat Theophanous.
A new grants program in Victoria hopes to renew the state’s urban rivers and restore natural habitat and native wildlife to the waterways.
The $10 million Green Links Grant Program was announced by Minister for Water Harriet Shing, who hopes the grants will revegetate up to 200 hectares of land in Melbourne and Geelong to improve waterways for native animals, including birds, frogs, fish and platypus.
She said community groups, water or land managers, Traditional Owners and local governments can apply for grants of up to $200,000 for small projects or up to $2 million in funding for large-scale projects.
Victoria’s urban waterways – including the Yarra, Maribyrnong, Werribee, Barwon, and the many tributaries in their catchment areas – hold significant social, cultural, environmental, and economic value. She said the program will bring together community groups, Traditional Owners, agencies and the Victorian Government to deliver healthier waterways and better community spaces.
Funding from the program will be available for those waterways identified for new planning controls, including Edgars Creek, Darebin Creek, Gardiners Creek, Jacksons Creek, Koonung Creek, Kororoit Creek, Maribyrnong River, Cherry Creek, Merri Creek, Moonee Ponds Creek, Steele Creek and Stony Creek.
$10 million is slated to be invested over three years and is designed to improve biodiversity and provide more cool, green places. It adds to the $300 million the government plans to invest in waterways in Melbourne and regional Victoria over the next four years.
In a joint release, Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous said, “Merri Creek and Darebin Creek are precious biodiversity corridors that are cherished by locals and visitors”.
“These grants will help ensure their ecosystems remain healthy and resilient as our climate changes and our population grows.”
Member for Pascoe Vale Anthony Cianflone added, “These grants are a great way to support local projects that will boost the livability in the suburbs and improve the aesthetics of the rivers and surrounding parks.”
The first round of grants is open until 14 December 2023. Successful grants will be announced in early 2024.
