From the Minister for Environment and Climate Change

The Hon Ryan Smith MLA

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Entries open for 10th year of Premier’s Sustainability Awards

Monday, 21 May 2012

Victorian businesses, community groups, education institutions and government agencies are invited to enter the 10th anniversary year of the Premier's Sustainability Awards.

New agreement ends legacy of waste discharge in Yarra River

Monday, 21 May 2012

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith has announced an historic agreement to stop the last discharge of industrial wastewater into the Yarra River.

New campaign urges Melburnians to ‘Get it Right on Bin Night’

Saturday, 19 May 2012

Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith today launched a new campaign in a bid to divert the equivalent of more than 300,000 wheelie bins of recyclable material that still ends up in landfill every week.

Minister calls for community partnerships to help plant two million trees

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith visited community nursery Brite Plants in Broadmeadows today where 5000 tree seedlings are heading for the Victorian environment as part of the Victorian Government's commitment to planting two...

New appointments to Victorian Environmental Assessment Council

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith has finalised five appointments to the Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC), to commence from May this year.

Entries open for ResourceSmart Schools Awards 2012

Monday, 14 May 2012

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith is encouraging Victorian primary and secondary schools to have their sustainability achievements recognised by entering the ResourceSmart Schools Awards 2012.

Making it easier for Melbourne’s commuters to recycle

Thursday, 10 May 2012

The equivalent of 240 garbage trucks of waste collected from metropolitan railway stations will be diverted away from landfill under a new recycling project between the Victorian Coalition Government and Metro Trains.

$2 million to ease illegal dumping burden on charities

Tuesday, 08 May 2012

The Victorian Coalition Government has announced a $2 million plan to help charities fight back against the unfair burden of illegal dumping at their outlets.

Coalition welcomes reform for climate programs

Friday, 04 May 2012

Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith welcomed today's bipartisan agreement from the COAG Select Council on Climate Change for a national approach to reforming climate change policies and programs.

Coalition commits $13.7 million for zoo upgrades as Mali takes over the city for 150th celebrations

Thursday, 03 May 2012

The Coalition Government will fund infrastructure projects to upgrade our zoos as part of a $13.7 million package announced this week in the 2012-13 Budget.

$157 million for planned burns, zoos and waterways

Tuesday, 01 May 2012

The 2012-13 Victorian Budget includes more than $157 million of new funding to improve waterways, reduce bushfire risk and upgrade facilities for Zoos Victoria.

Celebrating champions in coastal conservation

Friday, 27 Apr 2012

A group of everyday Victorians were awarded at the Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence 2012 last night.

$1.86 million for research on Victoria’s threatened species

Friday, 27 Apr 2012

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith announced today that the Victorian Government is delivering a $1.86 million project to collect new information on some of the state's rarest inhabitants to help strike the best possible balance...

$3.8 million to recycle Melbourne’s vegetable scraps into garden gold

Thursday, 26 Apr 2012

An ambitious plan to transform Melbourne's food and garden waste into valuable products was launched today with the Victorian Government committing $3.8 million to support and develop organics recycling across the city.

Largest environmental joint-project to clean up the Maribyrnong River Valley

Tuesday, 24 Apr 2012

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith, today announced funding of $1.04 million towards a $3.6 million project to revitalise Melbourne's second-largest river valley, the Maribyrnong.

$4.5 million for Communities for Nature project

Monday, 23 Apr 2012

The Victorian Coalition Government has announced the first successful applicants for its new environmental grants program – Communities for Nature.

Share the waters this Easter and keep your distance

Thursday, 05 Apr 2012

Victorians planning to enjoy the beach this Easter weekend are reminded to keep the required distances from marine mammals or face fines of up to $2,442, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith warned today.

Minister opens $2.8m Fishermans Beach precinct

Thursday, 05 Apr 2012

Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith today officially opened the Fishermans Beach Redevelopment project which has delivered a new community, tourism and recreation facilities on the Torquay foreshore.

Easter crackdown to keep trail bike riders on track

Wednesday, 04 Apr 2012

Patrols by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Forest Officers will be targeting unsafe and illegal trail bike riding at popular sites across the state this Easter, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith warned...

Junior Rangers to get active in nature these school holidays

Thursday, 29 Mar 2012

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith says Parks Victoria's Junior Ranger program is a great opportunity for kids to get out and about in some of Victoria's parks over the coming school holidays.