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Melbourne Water

Melbourne's water
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Community Grants Program

Volunteer community groups play an important role in protecting and improving local rivers and creeks.

Since 1999, we have distributed more than $1.2 million in grants to help community groups improve Melbourne's rivers and creeks and their surroundings.

The Community Grants program has improved over 42 kilometres of rivers and creeks through the planting of over 310,000 indigenous plants. In 2009/10, Melbourne Water provided 172 grants totalling almost $600,000 to community groups across the Port Phillip and Westernport region.

Who can apply?

Any incorporated community group, landcare group, committee of management or other volunteer group undertaking riparian or waterway management activities on public land in the Port Phillip or Westernport region.

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When can you apply?

The 2010/11 application process opens in August and closes on 25th October. Groups are advised to contact the River Health team for more information on how to apply. Applications submitted after this date may be considered by Melbourne Water and will be assessed and funded at our discretion.

Application form and guidelines:

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What sort of grants are available?
Group Support Grant

This grant provides volunteer based organisations with funds for general administrative assistance. The Group Support grant also funds activities that will increase community participation rates, raise public awareness, and supports groups to undertake training to improve group capacity and educate the community about their projects. Eligible organisations may apply for up to $1000 (excluding GST), and may apply for a Project Grant at the same time.

Project Grant
  • A maximum of $20,000 in funding (exclusive of GST) is available to projects addressing river and creek health. Funding can be used for a range of project related activities including weed control and management, riparian fencing, indigenous plantings and frontage management plans.
  • Groups seeking funding support for land (not waterway) management may be eligible through the Port Philip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority's Community Grants Program.

You may also be eligible for grants from:

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What's your role?

To qualify for funding under the Community Grants Program, a number of conditions must be met, including:

  • Matching funding: Applications must include at least one-to-one matching contributions from the applicant or project partners. This can be an in-kind or monetary contribution.
  • Project Report: A report must be prepared and forwarded to the responsible agency within 30 days of completion of the project. For more details see our grants website.

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More information

For more information about Melbourne Water and our grants programs:

Creek Connections is Melbourne Water's education and training newsletter for individuals and community groups.