Before we start,I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we are meeting. I pay my respects to their elders past and present. And the Aboriginal elders of other communities who may be gathered here today.

We have a number of experts joining us today in this virtual meeting. So if you have a question, please do raise your hand. And raise it in the Q&A section. And our panel experts will answer it during today's session. If you support a question that's already been raised, please like it. And we'll aim to answer the ones with the most likes first and to prioritise those.

And we'll also post some questions for you to answer as well today.

So to start us off, I'll now hand over to Joanne, our Incentives and

Partnerships Lead, thanks Jo.

Thank you very much, Anna.

And thank you everyone for joining us.

It's great to see the numbers climbing as we kick off our information session today about Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways. So I'm going to run through just a bit of an outline of our presentation today, that will be split into two parts.

So we will have some time to take your questions midway. And then we'll come back to a longer question time at the end. As mentioned, please put

your questions in the Q&A. And if you like it, we'll come back to those ones specifically.

I'm going to run through the program and the eligibility of applications

for this grants program. And Bronwen Hutchinson, my colleague, she'll be running through the process and some of the resources and where to get further information.

So let's get started.

Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways is Melbourne Water's new

streamlined and flexible approach to our incentives. We are aiming to deliver a more flexible grants program to our customers to increase the opportunities to work in partnership with our customers.

We have increased scope and the themes in which our programs have worked in, compared to our traditional grants programs, which you may have been

involved in, in the past. So I'll run through with you what the key themes are for Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways.

There are four key themes that Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways now spans.

• Catchment and habitats,
• liveable cities,
• integrated water management enablers and
• innovation and technology.

In terms of what those themes may cover,

catchments and habitats is works that focus on protecting our waterways and biodiversity. That aligns with our key Melbourne Water strategy: the Healthy Waterways Strategy.

So in the past where you may have worked in the corridors of grant

scheme or community grants, that's where predominantly a lot of those type of activities would sit within that theme.

But we've also broadened to encompass liveable cities.

Liveable cities focuses on local projects that support at least one of the following,

such as healthy waterways, green open spaces, resilient urban landscapes.

And it's looking to deliver community and environmental benefits.

Another key theme is integrated water management enablers.

So in that storm water space, we'd be looking at ways to implement precinct

through to regional scale projects that facilitate multiple partnership arrangements that may influence industry or address existing barriers to implementing integrated water management.

And the fourth key theme is innovation and technology. And that is focused more on research and technology where it can be applied to support best practice management. And help Melbourne Water and their partners work together.

So there four themes in which your projects may straddle multiple,

they're not streamed. So you might have a couple of themes in which your project could address.

I'll talk through next the key principles in which we would be ensuring projects align with.

There are five key principles.

The first is around providing multiple community or environmental benefits through best practice new project.

We'd also be seeking to ensure that projects engage with our customers and the community to inform them of what Melbourne Water's key purposes and strategic directions are.

The third is ensuring that your project has clear alignment with our strategies and our services. And that is beyond where we've maybe traditionally worked with you under the Healthy Waterway Strategy that can include any of Melbourne Water's key strategies.

The fourth is demonstrating collaboration to provide greater value beyond what Melbourne Water may try and do alone.

And lastly, not all projects need to achieve this, but innovative projects that can be widely adopted will be looked upon favourably.

So, we do have some ways in which we would assess those projects when they come through. And I'll talk you through how your application is assessed.  The guidelines that are available on our website will also further explain this.

But applications will be assessed against those guiding principles that I just mentioned. And looking to ensure that they match and align with one of the four themes that I've discussed.

So strategic alignment is one of the key ways in which we want to be ensuring projects align with Melbourne Water's strategies and our objectives.

So as I mentioned, we would consider any of Melbourne Water's strategies, such as Healthy Waterways Strategy, the Flood Strategy, the Drinking Water Quality Strategy, that's just to name a few.

But also it could align with other plans such as the Yarra Strategic Plan.  That's just to give you an example.

We'd also look at the benefit and the impact that the project has on the environment, economic, social or cultural benefits.

So it would be looking to ensure that the benefits exceed not just where you're locally applying your project, but beyond that space.

Engagement benefits is another key one. So that's the extent to which your project promotes collaboration or encourages participation with others.

Partnership benefits.

We'd be looking to understand the extent to which your project collaborates

with other organisations.

And capacity building. So how will your project help to deliver new skills and build new knowledge with people that we're working together with?

Innovation and leadership.

How will your project deliver Melbourne Water's strategies and services in efficient and effective way?

And then lastly, this one is of interest to many people.

The cost effectiveness. So the funding that you request needs to represent value for money. And we are going to look at applicants co-contributions in this context. So, while there is now no minimum co-contribution that we would specify for your grant, applicants cash or in-kind contribution would be looked upon favourably. And a match 50-50 contribution is a general benchmark to use as a guide for your application.

So next I'll just touch on the next slide.

What are the key steps in the application process?

The key thing to note is Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways is going to be flexible and streamlined. In that all year round, we are open for applications. Where you may have previously been working with us for the Living Rivers program or Community Grants program, where we had set funding

rounds throughout the year, this time we will be open all year round for your applications to come in when it suits you.

So in looking at the process here, the key thing we would like to emphasise in working with you is contact us and discuss your project idea with us. So that we can help guide you. This is a new program. This has broader themes

and greater opportunities for more complex projects.

So we would really be keen to discuss with you your project before you submit your application. And that may be through your existing channels of a waterways land officer or an incentives officer. Or you may have other contacts in the organisation that you'd be keen to discuss your ideas with.

We also have our customer service centre, and my colleague Bronwen will touch on that more later. So in terms of a process, have a chat with us.

Then we do have an online portal where you can submit your application. And we will assess your application and notify you of the decision. At that point, if it's successful, you'll be receiving a funding agreement for you to sign and agree to receive a payment. Have a period of time, which you can start your project. Complete your project. And then report back to us on your success.

So that's just a key summary of the process.

And next, just want to emphasise that Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways is looking to work in a range of ways with our customers. So predominantly project-based grants, this is where we've worked with you in the past. And we're also looking to work with our customers that we have a long and established relationship with. And we would like to look at extending into some longer term or larger scale arrangements in terms of the strategic partnerships.

So Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways will also enable us to work with you in strategic partnerships, if that's appropriate for the program that we're working on with you.

Now I'll take you through the program eligibility requirements. So, the first important point to note is that all current participants and activities that have been supported through our previous programs will continue to be supported. So that includes community groups, schools, councils, for example. So those groups will continue to be supported and the same activities that have been funded in the past.

Because we've had a long history over the last 20 years of I suppose funding those activities. And that they've demonstrated to be delivering the environmental outcomes that we're seeking. So, that's the first point to note. The current participants and activities continue to be supported.

But a broader range of stakeholders can apply.

So previously, we had particular programs where a certain customer would be directed down to apply through that program. So now not only do we have just a single program, but a broader range of applicants. So really, any Melbourne Water customers or community is welcome too and open to apply for funding.

It's really about looking at what activities can help deliver on our strategic objectives and improve the environmental outcomes. So really, we are opening up to a broader range of stakeholders. As an example, in the past, the university sector was not able to apply for funding, particularly through our Living Rivers program. And we had to look at outsourcing arrangements, and working in a partnership arrangement there. Whereas under the new program, they would be able to apply directly.

The projects must be in the Melbourne Water operating area.

They must fit at least one of the themes, and align with the guiding principles that Jo mentioned earlier. Including a clear alignment with our strategies and services. And also something that's nice to have is looking at innovative projects that can then be widely adopted.

And finally, just a point to note about private landholders. So in the long run, they will be eligible to apply through Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways. But that's because we're moving to this program through a phased approach. They will not be transitioning until mid late 2021. And so from now until then, private landholder grants will continue to be made available through the Stream Frontage Management Program and the Rural Land Programs.

So as I mentioned, the activities funded under the previous programs will continue to be supported. So this includes things like stormwater treatment, harvesting, weed control and revegetation.

That broader range of activities will be eligible, and these are really outcome-focused. So here's a few examples of some activities that could be eligible under Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways.

So we look at habitat creation, threatened species management, pest animal control, such as deer monitoring and research, strategic partnerships that

were talked about earlier, and interpretive signage.

And these are just some examples, so please call us and chat about any other ideas that you may have.

Here's just a few examples of some featured projects and partnerships that we've funded over the last few years. There's a bigger list available on our website, but this is really just to give you an idea of the range of projects.

So the first project there is protection and enhancement of wetlands on Phillip Island.

The second project you can see there is the Dawson Street and Brunswick

streetscape improvements.

So the Phillip Island project was funding to target invasive weeds that are impacting on the wetlands and coastal salt marshes. And so these areas are a vital significance to many species. And so therefore that weed control  plays a vital role in helping maintain that ecosystem.

And the Dawson Street Streetscape Improvement project looked at installing rain gardens and tree pits in Dawson Street between the Upfield railway line and Sydney Road. And this project used a variety of grasses and shrubs species not ordinarily used in rain gardens. And so that's an example of where you can build in elements of innovation into your projects.

The Cardinia Creek catchment aerial survey is a project that we've funded through the trial phase of the Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways. And through that project, the Cardinia Deer Management Coalition will conduct a combined aerial and land surveys of parts of the Cardinia Creek catchment. Using combination of infrared camera equipped helicopters, drones and camera traps to identify location and numbers of deers in the landscape.

The second project there is protecting platypus in the Plenty River from storm water pollution. And that's really a combination of in-stream monitoring and education, to really educate students, particularly around pollution events, as well as indicate to council when there might be pollution events to allow them to investigate.

So the website is now live and applications are open.

We've had a number in already.

And as Jo mentioned earlier, applications are open all year round, so you can apply at a time that suits you.

So please visit our website. The website contains a number of useful pages.  It has the program guidelines, which are available as web content, as well as an attachment that you can download, if that's the way that you prefer to do it. We also have information on how to apply, which includes tips and information that you should have ready before you start the application process.

A bit more about some of those featured projects in partnerships.

A resource hub that includes some frequently asked questions. And might go into a bit more detail about particular elements that aren't covered in the guidelines. And also some information for existing partners.

So that's really just for any questions that those people might have, who are delivering projects funded through our legacy programs, such as Living Rivers and Community Grants.

So just a few tips for completing your application.

Step one, make sure you've read the program guidelines.

Confirm that your application is aligned to the program principles and responds to at least one of the four themes.

Have a look at the resource hub to make sure you've covered any legal, financial, locational considerations. And that includes things like all specific requirements, if you need to do that. As well as examples about funding and how to create a budget for your project.

As well as locational considerations, which touches on things like your sites of cultural heritage significance.

And fourthly, we'd encourage you to contact your Melbourne Water representative to discuss your project idea. What we would really love is if everyone who starts an application has already had at least one conversation with the Melbourne Water representative before they do that,  just to make sure that you can put in the best application possible and give yourself every chance of success.

And then finally, based on that advice from your Melbourne Water representative, and based on the guidelines, proceed to apply online via SmartyGrants.

So there is a link directly from the apply here page on our website. And that will take you to the SmartyGrants page. For those of you that haven't

used SmartyGrants before you will need to create a login. But the benefit of that is that you can save your application and come back at any time to complete it. And this is the same system that we have been using for a number of our previous grants programs. So some of you would

be familiar with that.

Thank you.

So finally, just a few places that you can go for further information.

So we have an email address that's monitored daily, so you can send your email inquiries through to [email protected].

You can also contact the customer service centre on 131 722.

And they will be able to direct your inquiry to the right Melbourne Water representative based on the type of project you're wanting to do or the location that your project is in within the region.

And finally, we have the Melbourne Water website there, which is melbournewater.com.au/liveable-communities-liveable-waterways