About North East Link Program

North East Link is Victoria’s biggest-ever investment in Melbourne’s north east. We’re also completing the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough, overhauling the Eastern Freeway, building Melbourne’s first dedicated busway and more than 34 kilometres of walking and cycling paths.

About North East Community Fund

Major works for the 3 massive projects that make up North East Link Program are taking place in built-up urban areas. As they progress, the North East Community Fund (NECF) will support local areas and community organisations most impacted by construction.

The $10 million fund seeks to support local initiatives and projects in Melbourne’s northern and eastern suburbs – bringing lasting benefit to the area well before these massive projects are completed in 2028.

Greener North East environment and sustainability grants

As part of the North East Community Fund, grants of up to $5000 are available to bring people together to create and improve green spaces, enhance local habitat and increase biodiversity in the suburbs closest to construction. The grants will support planting initiatives and activities that improve or enhance the natural environment.

Projects that involve the local community in sustainability initiatives, opportunities to learn about and experience the local environment, or build capacity are also eligible to apply.

Applications for larger value community grants and partnerships will be available later in 2024 in a separate North East Community Fund round.

The fund is managed by Major Road Projects Victoria and delivered in consultation with local councils on behalf of the Victorian Government.

Timeframes

Applications close

3pm, Tuesday 7 May 2024

Applications assessed

May 2024

Applicants notified

June 2024

You can read the North East Community Fund Guidelines below or download the guidelines   PDF, 999.3 KB.

Eligibility

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

  • be a legally registered incorporated not-for-profit organisation or community group, or be sponsored (auspiced) by an incorporated not-for-profit organisation
  • be located in either the City of Banyule, City of Manningham, City of Boroondara, City of Nillumbik, City of Whitehorse with the initiative or project to take place in a priority suburb
  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and provide an incorporation number
  • have a current public liability insurance (minimum of $10 million).

Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations may include but are not limited to:

  • charities
  • Australian Public Companies, such as companies limited by guarantee and/or limited by shares (non-distribution of profits or dividends)
  • co-operatives
  • trusts that are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
  • not-for-profit associations
  • Registered Australian Bodies
  • Indigenous corporations
  • organisations established under an Act of Parliament.

Auspice arrangements for grants are designed to assist not-for-profit community groups who are small or may not yet be incorporated, they cannot be used by for-profit organisations to apply for grants that benefit a commercial business.

The auspice organisation would receive the grant funding and have responsibility for ensuring that the project is completed on time.

Evidence of the agreement between the two parties to undertake this auspice arrangement must be submitted with the grant application.

Who cannot apply?

  • An individual or a group of individuals
  • For-profit businesses
  • Unincorporated organisations
  • State Government agencies/ departments

In 2023, 20 schools, kindergartens and early learning centres near North East Link tunnelling works were provided with nursery vouchers as part of a $50,000 program to support more green spaces.

Yarra View and Bushland Flora Nursery, a social enterprise, worked with our tunnelling construction partner, to provide the trees, plants and supplies.

While schools, pre-schools and kindergartens can apply for a Greener North East grant in this round, via their Parent Teacher Association, priority will be given to other non-for-profit groups first.

Not eligible for funding

Projects are not eligible to receive a Greener North East grant if they:

  • are seeking to plant trees or carry out other on-ground works on private land that has limited community or environmental benefit, i.e. private planting as part of home improvements
  • have the single purpose of promoting religion or political parties
  • are currently fully funded by local, state, or federal governments
  • have not submitted acquittal reports for previously funded NECF projects
  • have already commenced or are scheduled to commence before the grants are paid.

Applicants may apply for more than one grant; however, the application must be for a different activity.

Eligible projects

Project categories

Proposed projects should fit into one of the following categories:

Greener North East planting and environment grants

Up to $5000 for projects that bring the community together to plant trees, shrubs and plants or support local biodiversity and habitat.

Greener North East equipment grants

Up to $5000 for equipment, training or education activities that build capacity or support the ongoing work of local Landcare and environment groups.

Project requirements

Proposed projects should:

  • be able to be delivered during 2024 or 2025. Proposals for projects able to be delivered in 2024 may be considered more favourably
  • have permission from the landowner for planting or other on the ground activities. This includes the type of activity, species to be planted and any other requirements
  • source plants native to the local area and appropriate to the location proposed.

Additionally, proposals from within the following affected suburbs, including those identified in the project’s Environmental

Performance Requirements, may be prioritised as part of the assessment process: Balwyn North, Box Hill North, Bulleen, Bundoora, Doncaster, Greensborough, Heidelberg, Kew East, Macleod, Mont Albert North, Rosanna, Templestowe Lower, Viewbank, Watsonia North, Watsonia, Yallambie

Projects held in conjunction with national or international environment days, such as National Tree Planting Day, may be given priority, as will projects who source their plants, materials or services from local nurseries and social enterprises.

Potential projects and initiatives

  • Community tree planting events
  • Tree and shrub planting and revegetation
  • Weed management, litter management or other landcare initiatives
  • Habitat creation and maintenance, i.e. habitat boxes or hollows
  • Equipment or training to support landcare
  • Urban farming and community gardens
  • Habitat enhancement for local gardens
  • Community education and capacity building, i.e. field days, education events, citizen science initiatives

Community priorities

To be eligible for a North East Community Fund grant applicants must be able to demonstrate how they will support or benefit a community impacted by the project as well as aligning with one of the community priorities below:

Community connectedness

Creating opportunities, activities and environments which bring communities together.

Environment and sustainability

Enhancing and conserving green spaces and the environment.

Beautification

Supporting opportunities to improve the aesthetics and facilities of the community.

Assessment

Assessment Panel

Applications for a Greener North East grant will be assessed by a senior panel convened by Major Road Projects Victoria and any relevant state government departments or councils as required.

An independent probity advisor will oversee the assessment process.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:

Community connectedness and benefit

(40% of overall score)

Demonstrate how initiative will improve community connections by bringing people together and increase the level of participation an individual has within their community.

Community impact and need

(30% of overall score)

Demonstrate proximity and construction impacts from North East Link, the M80 Ring Road Completion and/or Eastern Freeway Upgrades, and identify which community priority/s the project addresses.

Organisation's capacity

(30% of overall score)

Demonstrate that the organisation has the capacity to deliver the initiative on time and within budget.

Applying for a grant

Please have the following information ready before you start filling out the application form.

Information on the applying organisation including:

  • Name, address, contact details
  • Incorporation Registration Certificate
  • ABN
  • Public Liability Insurance certificate of $10 million or higher
  • Auspice organisation information where relevant

Details about the project:

  • Project title
  • Type of project (tree planting or other on-ground works, capacity building, community education, etc.)
  • Which priority area/s (suburb and Council area) will benefit
  • Timeline

Responses will be required to outline:

  • Proximity to/impacts from construction
  • How your project will improve community connectedness
  • The number of community members who will benefit
  • How your project will deliver an environmental and/or sustainability benefit.
  • Social benefit - including sourcing trees and materials from a social enterprise if relevant
  • The number and species of trees and plants and their suitability for the area
  • Details on your organisation to give us confidence that you can complete the work
  • How you will measure success

In relation to project costs, you will be asked for:

  • the total cost of the project
  • your organisation’s contribution
  • how much funding you are seeking
  • how the funds will be used
  • quotes to support any individual budget item that exceeds $1000
  • any other funding sources you have already secured.

Where co-funding is identified, evidence is requested for secured funding. For non-secured co-funding, you will be asked how the project can be re-scoped if this is not received.

Additional information and attachments

Where relevant, the below are requested:

  • Evidence of land and/or building ownership (e.g rates notice)
  • Where you do not own the land/ building, evidence of landowner permission for tree planting or other on ground activities
  • Auspice agreement
  • Evidence of co-funding from other sources
  • Supporting information, such as project plans and/or designs

Getting assistance with your application

If you have an idea for a project or planting initiative, but have questions about suitable locations and species please chat to the North East Community Fund team.

The team can also answer any questions prior to your organisation submitting you application.

Phone 1800 105 105 or email communityfund@northeastlink.vic.gov.au

If you require an interpreter, please call 03 9209 0147.

How to apply

Online application form

Applications must be submitted online via the North East Community Fund web page at northeastlink.vic.gov.au/communityfund

Please note applications must:

  • be submitted by an individual with authority to do so on behalf of their group/ organisation
  • use the Greener North East grant application form
  • be for only one proposed project
  • be complete as ineligible applications will not be considered.

MRPV reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to accept or reject any project proposal that is lodged after the closing date and/or not lodged in accordance with the requirements of the Greener

North East Grants guidelines (this document).

Get in touch

Before you apply for a Greener North East grant, please get in touch with our North East Community fund team to talk about your idea or initiative.

Call us on 1800 105 105 or email communityfund@northeastlink.vic.gov.au

Building on our tree planting program

The Greener North East grants build on the work we’re already doing to green local areas as we build North East Link, complete the M80 Ring Road and upgrade the Eastern Freeway.

For every tree removed for construction, at least two will be planted. It’s one of the biggest tree planting programs for a major road project in Victoria, with more than 30,000 trees to be planted.

Over 2500 trees have been planted early in local parks, streets and reserves. We’ll also be returning improved open spaces to areas needed for construction.

The longer North East Link tunnels mean we can return much more green space to the community, creating 10 hectares of new parklands along Banyule Creek in Yallambie, a new tree-lined boulevard for Greensborough Road, and new cultural wetlands along the Yarra River in Bulleen.

We’ll also build new wetlands for the M80 Ring Road Completion in Greensborough and return improved green spaces along the Eastern Freeway. Extensive reinstatement works will increase the number of trees and plants in Koonung Creek Reserve, reimagine Valda Wetlands and improve the health of Koonung Creek.

Terms and conditions

Projects which receive a funding offer from the North East Community Fund will be required to enter into a funding agreement and accept terms and conditions in relation to the project proposed.

Privacy collection notice

MRPV collects your personal information for the purposes of administering the NECF. We may disclose your personal information to Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA), other state government organisations and third parties, including (but not limited to):

  • SmartyGrants
  • relevant local council
  • MTIA third party contractors.

Information is collected for the purposes of:

  • processing and assessing your application
  • allocating grants
  • communicating with you
  • confirming required permissions
  • enquiring about past/current/future funding as required.

We will only send you communication about any applications you make and updates to keep you informed on the North East Community Fund. You may choose not to provide us with all personal information we request from you, which may impact whether we accept an application from you, respond to your queries or take your feedback into account.

You have the right to access and correct personal information about you held by us. To request access or request changes to the personal information we hold about you, or for more information about how we manage your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy which is available on our website at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/privacy or contact us for a copy.

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