Air quality grants open

(Rhys Moult/Unsplash)

A new series of grants designed to improve air quality in Melbourne’s west have been announced by the state government.

The air quality improvement precinct grants will be drawn from a pool of about $1 million and will aim to support local solutions to reduce emissions from smoke, dust and other sources of air pollution.

It will serve as continuation of two previous grant rounds that focused on supporting local business in the west to reduce pollution output.

The grants are open to public schools, community groups, research institutions and businesses in Melton, Brimbank, Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay and Wyndham.

The grants will run in conjunction with the West Gate Tunnel project which will aim to remove 9000 trucks a day from local roads in the west.

Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the program will allow local groups to come up with their own fixes.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Details: environment.vic.gov.au/grants/AQIP-grants-2025