Apply for Melbourne Water’s streamlined and flexible incentives program: Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways.
For nearly 30 years, Melbourne Water has worked in partnership with our customers and the community to undertake a range of activities that have helped us improve the health of our waterways and deliver our vision to enhance life and liveability.
Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways builds on our proud partnership history through a strong focus on innovation, healthy environments, liveability and collaboration.
Melbourne Water welcomes applications for our Liveable Communities Liveable Waterways grants program for projects that cover:
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waterway vegetation management
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stormwater management
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rural land management to support improved water quality outcomes
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targeted program initiatives.
Learn how to apply.
Are you a private landholder?
If you own or manage a waterway on your property, you may be eligible for a grant for many activities including revegetation, weed control and fencing. You can apply for a combination of activities using a single application form. We encourage you to apply for funding using our Incentives system, however if not possible, our team can email or post an application form or receive your application over the phone.
We give preference to projects that fall within the Healthy Waterways Strategy priority regions, as indicated on our interactive map.
An Assessor will visit your property and discuss your project idea, the types of activities we fund and how much funding you would like to apply for.
If you are the landholder or land manager, you do not need an ABN or Auspice arrangement.
Read our Private Landholders Fact Sheet to find see see a full list of activities that could be funded through our grants program.
Guiding principles
- Have clear alignment with our strategies and services. For example, Healthy Waterways, Flood Management, Environmental Stewardship, Melbourne Water System, Sewerage, Drinking or Water Quality.
- Provide multiple community and/or environmental benefits through application of best practice.
- Engage with our customers and community and inform them of our purpose and strategic direction.
- Demonstrate collaboration to provide greater value beyond what can be achieved by Melbourne Water alone. Partnering with Melbourne Water is the first step in collaboration however we also look for projects that may provide opportunities for neighbours, community groups and organisations to collaborate.
- Innovative projects that can be widely adopted (not required for all applications).
You can find an indicative list of the types of projects or activities you could apply for in our Program Guidelines, and examples of projects funded previously.
We encourage you to discuss your proposed idea with us before applying.
Are you eligible to apply?
To be eligible for consideration, your project must be located within Melbourne Water’s operating area:
- We recommend that your proposal is aligned with the guiding principles, noting that for private landholder grants, these may not all be applicable.
- You cannot apply for funding if you have failed to complete and report on previous projects to the satisfaction of Melbourne Water.
Activities not eligible for funding
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Waterway or streamside fencing that is less than 10m from top of bank.
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Works that would alter the form of the waterway, for example create a pool, dam or similar in a creek.
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Funding towards compliance activity or rectification associated with illegal works.
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Funding for the delivery of works which form part of the conditions of a planning permit or permit application.
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Erosion control
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We can assist in facilitating private landowners to undertake works to protect private assets, at their own cost, through general and technical advice and the provision of a 'Works on Waterways' permit. No work is permitted in or on the banks of any waterway in the Port Phillip and Westernport region without prior approval from Melbourne Water.
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More information
- Find land for your project idea
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Want to turn our land into active community spaces for everyone to enjoy? Our Space. Your Place lets you search Melbourne Water sites for an appropriate space for your community concept.
For more information, go to Use our land.
- Is your project on crown land or public land?
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If your project is on crown land, you must have a license from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. You can contact the department directly or speak to your Melbourne Water contact person who can help you with your application for a license.
If your project is on public land, you must obtain written approval from the landowner/manager who will ensure that relevant occupational health and safety requirements are considered.
When submitting your online application, please include a signed document from the land manager as evidence of support. You can use the following template:
- Are you applying on behalf of a business, incorporated entity or group?
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If so, you need to provide your ABN. If you do not meet these requirements you may want to consider entering into an auspice arrangement with an appropriate Auspice agency. We will accept applications from groups who are incorporated through Landcare Victoria Limited.
- Permit requirements and standards
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Please note, any offer of funding from Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways does not negate the need to obtain a permit or other necessary approvals from Melbourne Water or other relevant authorities to undertake your agreed project.
Please check the FAQs in Resource hub to ensure you've covered all legal, financial and locational considerations.
Contact us