Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Ministers statements: Green Links grants

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:17): The Allan Labor government is funding more projects to protect our urban waterways through the Green Links grants program. The Green Links grants were established to improve water quality, strengthen and preserve habitats for native wildlife and provide more open green space for the community to enjoy. It was a pleasure to join the member for Laverton Sarah Connolly MP on Monday and to meet the deserving grant recipients. The Friends of Kororoit Creek are doing an amazing job revegetating their slice of nature in Sunshine West and transforming this green corridor for families and native animals to enjoy. A special shout-out to Jessica, the president, and her fellow Kororoit Creek volunteers for the tour of the ‘bug rug’. It is clear that this latest grant will further support your important revegetation work.

Last Friday I also joined the member for Geelong Christine Couzens and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority to see how $177,000 will support revegetation and weed management works at five key sites at the Barwon River, Sparrovale Wetland and Lake Connewarre. $350,000 will also transform a section of the Barongarook Creek through Colac into a thriving natural asset, building upon decades of restoration efforts.

This latest round of Green Links will enable 10 projects, with a total of $2 million of funding, and target over 70 hectares of land, with 75,000 tube stock and seedlings planted and over 100 kilograms of seeds, supported by roughly 2000 volunteers. Waterways and parklands play a crucial role in supporting community wellbeing. The Allan Labor government is backing in local communities to deliver high-quality, thriving, natural open spaces for everyone to enjoy.