Victoria’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lisa Neville announced a $700,000 Litter Innovation Fund to help communities reduce the amount of litter and illegal dumping in Victoria in December.
Grants will be offered over two grant rounds, each of which will involve a two stage application process.
Local government, industry and community groups can apply for grants of up to $20,000 to bring to life innovative solutions that tackle local and regional litter problems. One of the initiative’s goals is to maintain Victoria’s position as Australia’s least littered state.
A proportion of the fund has been allocated specifically to support projects that help reduce litter and illegal dumping in the Yarra River and Port Phillip catchment areas.
The Litter Innovation Fund is part of the broader draft Victorian Community and Business Waste Education Strategy, which will help keep more waste out of landfill by increasing recycling and reducing contamination.
“The strategy will help communities and businesses better understand the benefits – environmental, social and economic – of increased recycling and reducing our reliance on landfill, as well the need for a well-managed waste system,” said Minister Neville.
The Victorian Government is seeking community and stakeholder feedback on this draft strategy, which was released for consultation on 21 December. The consultation can be accessed through the Sustainability Victoria website.
Expressions of interest for the Litter Innovation Fund close on 4 March. Applications then close on 8 April.