$1.2 MILLION GREEN FUND

The City of Melbourne will partner with philanthropists, property developers, community groups and other Government organisations on greening projects.

“The initiatives could include planting trees, creating parks, green walls, roofs and facades and stormwater projects. We will match successful projects dollar for dollar to leave a green legacy for our city,” the Lord Mayor said.

“As well as protecting us from extreme heat, our trees and parks are a major contributor to Melbourne's liveability. The City of Melbourne is increasing public green space and planting 3000 trees a year. This initiative, to stimulate greening of private property which represents 73 per cent of land in our municipality, is the next frontier.”

“Green infrastructure is fundamental to help cities respond to the challenges of climate change, urban heat, flooding and population growth.”

The Lord Mayor launched the Urban Forest Fund on March 31st, in an aptly green site. On top of the new Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, which features one the largest rooftop gardens in Australia. 

The Urban Forest Fund has $1.2 million in seed funding, which the City of Melbourne aims to grow to $10 million through contributions from organisations and individuals who want to create a greener city.

For every dollar that a private investor pays into the fund, the City of Melbourne will provide an additional dollar towards a greening project.

The City of Melbourne has created an online tool which maps all the rooftops in the municipality to see if they have the potential to be turned into solar, cool or green roofs.

Chair of the City of Melbourne's Environment Portfolio Cr Cathy Oke said Expressions of Interest are being sought from property owners and developers for potential green projects, such as green roofs.

“Our aim is to support new greening projects that otherwise would not be funded,” Cr Oke said.

“The City of Melbourne owns and controls only one fifth of the city's land area, so we're looking for proposals to create new green space on private property. This project could lead to the creation of new spaces that can capture stormwater to reduce flooding, reduce summertime temperatures in the city and create habitat for plants and animals.”

EOI’s can be submitted between March 31 and August 31 HERE. If successful, applicants will be eligible for a matched funding grant for their greening project, where the Urban Forest Fund will match the investment dollar-for-dollar (up to $500,000).

The Urban Forest Fund will support a wide range of projects, including:

• new green open spaces
• tree planting
• green roofs
• green walls or facades
• water sensitive urban design projects.

Formal submissions will open in September 2017. More information is available at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au