Labor’s $2 Million Green Links Grant Raises Eyebrows: Is It Enough to Save Victoria’s Waterways?

Critics argue that the Victorian Labor government’s $2 million Green Links Grant Program falls short in its promise to restore local waterways

The Victorian Labor government has announced a new round of the Green Links Grant Program, allocating $2 million to improve local waterways and green spaces across the state. However, with Victoria’s extensive network of rivers and creeks, many wonder if this token sum will have any real impact on the environmental goals it claims to support. Critics argue that the funding is unlikely to significantly boost the health of Victoria’s waterways, questioning whether this is a genuine attempt to address the issue or simply a means of scoring political points.

This second round of funding includes a new eligibility extension for schools, allowing students to participate in conservation efforts—a commendable gesture, yet one that may not make a substantial difference in the grand scheme. Community groups, water and land managers, Traditional Owners, local councils, and schools are encouraged to apply for project funding, with allocations ranging from $20,000 to $350,000. However, the amount falls far short of what is required to make substantial strides in waterway health.

For context, the first round of the Green Links Grant Program allocated $6 million across 23 projects, and this second round aims to continue that work. But with hundreds of rivers and creeks across Victoria needing attention, critics argue that these grants amount to little more than a drop in the bucket. While the government touts a $262 million commitment to waterways and catchments, only a fraction of that appears to be directed at the smaller, community-level projects that would need considerably more support to be effective.

Instead of these minimal allocations, more substantial and targeted funding options could be introduced, such as larger grants for major ecological restoration projects, incentives for local businesses to reduce environmental impact, and enhanced support for Traditional Owners’ initiatives to manage and protect native habitats.