The Victorian  Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith has announced the recipients of the government's $5.67 million Local Sustainability Accord grants program.

 

"Under the new Local Sustainability Accord grants program, 57 projects will be funded to empower local communities to develop strategic responses to sustainability issues and provide practical opportunities to improve our environment," Mr Smith said.

 

"The Local Sustainability Accord program supports local communities to create local solutions for sustainability and environmental challenges.

 

"The program encourages local governments to provide innovative and practical solutions to improve sustainability through projects that create jobs, educate and improve best practice guidelines for households, industry and government," Mr Smith said.

 

The Local Sustainability Accord program comprises three categories of funding:

  • Regional Grants – funding of up to $600,000 to successful regional councils.
  • Partnership Grants – funding of up to $250,000 for partnerships between councils, organisations and industry.
  • Individual Grants – funding of up to $45,000 to individual councils.

 

Funded by the Sustainability Fund, $3.9 million has been committed to 42 individual grants and 11 partnership grants, and $1.7 million has been committed to 4 regional grants funded by the Regional Growth Fund.

 

Mr Smith said the state government would also soon be rolling out its promised $20 million Community Green Fund program.

 

"The Community Green Fund grants will help community and volunteer groups to take practical local action and restore environmental black spots," Mr Smith said.

 

For more information about the Local Sustainability Accord grants program visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/accord.