WEST: $1m to tackle air pollution
The State Government is working to improve air quality in Melbourne’s west with new grants available.
Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Environment (pictured), announced another round of Air Quality Improvement Precinct Grants – this round has been expanded to support local government, schools, community groups and research institutions, local industry and businesses to reduce air pollution across Melbourne’s west.
The grants are open in the local government areas of Melton, Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Port Phillip, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham.
The $1 million program will help communities in the west tackle air pollution – supporting cleaner technologies, better infrastructure and local solutions to reduce emissions from smoke, dust and other sources.
The program builds on two previous grant rounds which focused support on local business in the west to reduce pollution output.
The Air Quality Improvement Precincts and expanded round of grants is part of the \Air Quality Strategy – the state’s first overarching plan to address air pollution.
“Extending the program means we can now also support schools, local councils and community groups, together with local business and industry to deliver initiatives that support improved air quality in Melbourne’s west,” said Mr Dimopoulos.
“Whether installing dust sensors or planting vegetation barriers to block and capture dust, we encourage all kinds of innovative mitigations to ensure we improve air quality in our pollution hot spots.”\