9 November 2023

The Allan Labor Government is helping improve habitat for native wildlife across Victoria’s iconic urban rivers and creeks through the $10 million Green Links Grant Program.

Applications are now open for the Green Links Grant Program – community groups, water or land managers, Traditional Owners and local governments can apply for up to $200,000 for small projects or up to $2 million in funding for large-scale projects.

The Maribyrnong River and Moonee Ponds Creek are both important assets for the local community, helping to improve biodiversity and provide more cool, green places where residents can connect with nature.

The program aims to revegetate up to 200 hectares of land in both Melbourne and Geelong – to enhance waterways for native animals including birds, frogs, fish and platypus.

Funding in year one of the program will be available for urban waterways identified for new planning controls in the Government’s Protecting Waterways so our Wildlife Can Thrive commitment this includes:

• Edgars Creek,
• Darebin Creek,
• Gardiners Creek,
• Jacksons Creek,
• Koonung Creek,
• Kororoit Creek,
• The Maribyrnong River,
• Cherry Creek,
• Merri Creek,
• Moonee Ponds Creek,
• Steele Creek
• and Stony Creek.

Funding is also available to waterways included in the Waterways of the West Action Plan, the Rivers of the Barwon (Barre Warre Yulluk) Action Plan and Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo – the Yarra Strategic Plan.

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 values.

The program will bring together community groups, Traditional Owners, agencies and the Victorian Government – to deliver healthier waterways and better spaces for the community to enjoy.

The Labor Government will invest $10 million over three years into the grant program. This complements the more than $300 million invested over four years to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria and Melbourne.

The first round of the Green Links Grant Program is open until 14 December 2023 and successful grants will be announced in early 2024.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Harriet Shing

“We are strengthening and enhancing our urban rivers and creeks to protect our native wildlife and make them places for the community to enjoy.”

Quote attributable to Member for Essendon Danny Pearson

“The Maribyrnong River and Moonee Ponds Creek are much loved spots for the community to get out and explore nature, these grants will help to protect and strengthen them to keep our environment thriving into the future.