Across the Port Phillip and Westernport region, 180 grants totalling $692,000 have been allocated to 96 not-for-profit groups. The groups will use the funds to help protect and improve rivers and creeks across Melbourne and beyond through projects such as streamside re-vegetation, improving habitat for native animals, controlling weeds, as well as funding to cover administrative and promotional costs.
 

Chris Chesterfield, general manager of Waterways, said: “Our river health improvements are being made at a faster rate with the help of community groups who dedicate hours of their time caring for their local rivers and creeks. There are hundreds of passionate volunteers across the region, and we’re pleased to be able to support the great work that they do. Our work is complemented by the efforts of committed community groups, and we achieve far more when we’re working together to achieve the same goal.”
 

The annual Community Grants Programme, jointly administered by Melbourne Water and the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, is this year providing more than $1 million to groups and projects that will benefit the health of the region’s waterways (Melbourne Water) and land (CMA).