Applications are now open for a second round of funding for the Brumby Government's EcoLiving program.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said more than $1 million in grants will be available for organisations and community groups to establish EcoLiving Centres in their local communities.
"The Brumby Government is taking action to make our communities more sustainable by developing a network of EcoLiving Centres across Victoria," Mr Jennings said.
"Each EcoLiving Centre will serve as a local community hub, helping households to take action to reduce everyday environmental impacts and respond to climate change.
"EcoLiving Centres operate within the community to build local expertise, knowledge and capacity by providing locally relevant information and learning programs.
"EcoLiving Centres help people to learn about sustainable living through workshops and practical demonstrations of activities such as rain water collection, composting and sustainable gardening, renewable energy generation and improving home energy efficiency.
"We encourage any organisation or community group with an interest in delivering local, community based sustainability programs to apply for funding to become an EcoLiving Centre," he said.
Last year $1.9 million in Brumby Government funding was provided to set up seven EcoLiving Centres in metropolitan and regional areas across the state.
These include:
- Greener Houses Growing Greener Neighbourhoods - North East Neighbourhood Houses Incorporated;
- Banksia Eco Warriors - Banksia Gardens Community Centre, Broadmeadows;
- 'CERES EcoHouse Renewal'- CERES Community Environment Park, Brunswick;
- Iramoo EcoLiving Centre- Victoria University, Institute for Sustainability and Innovation, St Albans;
- Tower Hill EcoDemonstration Centre – Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, Swan Hill;
- Violet Town EcoLiving Demonstration Project- Strathbogie Shire Council, Violet Town; and,
- PepperGreen Farm EcoLiving Centre- Bendigo Access Employment Bendigo.
The Victorian Sustainability Fund allocated $3 million to the EcoLiving program as part of the Brumby Government's Our Environment Our Future Sustainability Action Statement.
The closing date for EcoLiving grants is Thursday 19 March 2009. For more information, or to apply for a grant, go to www.dse.vic.gov.au/ecoliving |
