South Melbourne Market launches new grant program to support sustainability

South Melbourne Market and the City of Port Phillip are inviting Market traders to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to contribute to projects, initiatives and innovations that support sustainable business practices.

The Early Adopter Sustainability Grant Program is an action of the Market’s first Environmental Sustainability Strategy, which launches this year. The strategy has been developed in collaboration with the Market’s traders, cleaning and waste management contractors, the South Melbourne Market Committee and City of Port Phillip Council, with the draft strategy also being shared with our customers and community for feedback and input in February and March.

The strategy identifies a range of actions to achieve in three key areas: wiping out waste, transitioning to zero carbon energy emissions and reducing our water use and impact on our waterways.

The grant program encourages traders to implement environmentally sustainable business practices ahead of and/or beyond the actions outlined in the strategy. Grants of up to $10,000 are available and can contribute to projects such as upgrades to stall fit-outs, design and development of new products or services, community education or incentives and initiatives that reduce plastics and waste.

Applications for the funding are now open, and South Melbourne Market traders with a permanent licence of minimum three years are eligible to apply. Successful applicants will be announced in June 2023.