Budget 2022-23

The 2022–23 State Budget was announced on 3 May 2022. Visit the Victorian Budget website for more information.

The Budget allocates nearly $780 million for DELWP portfolios to help the department continue our work creating thriving communities and environments and contributing to Victoria’s economic recovery.

Here are some of the key items.

A cleaner, cheaper and stronger energy system for all

Delivering an innovative energy transition

$6.7 million will develop Victoria’s offshore wind and renewable hydrogen sectors, critical to our energy transition.

Over $4 million will support the second Victorian Renewable Energy Auction (VRET2) - targeting 600 MW of new renewable energy generation capacity - and the implementation and maintenance of Victorian legislative frameworks. VRET2 is expected to create thousands of jobs and help power the entire Victorian Government with clean energy − including every government school and hospital and Melbourne’s entire metropolitan train network.

And $11.7 million for the Hume Hydrogen Highway, a renewable hydrogen project to decarbonise heavy freight transport.

Making energy fairer and cheaper for all

$250 million will help ease the cost of living for Victorian households through our expanded $250 Power Saving Bonus program.

Over $9 million will bolster Victorian Energy Compare and the Energy Assistance Program, supporting Victorians to access cheaper energy prices.

$1.2 million will help reduce gas bills, ensure gas reliability and deliver renewable gases as an option for gas substitution.

$42.2 million for theSolar Homes Program to continue to meet consumer demand for solar and battery rebates and support the sustained growth of Victoria’s solar industry.

A stronger, safer, more resilient network

$2.4 million for the Powerline Bushfire Safety Program helps protect communities from bushfires sparked by powerlines.

$10 million will improve the resilience of our grid against extreme weather events.

Over $8 million will support professional development for electrical workers.

Building resilience and protecting our forests, parks, wildlife and environment

New and upgraded parks

$5.8 million to support the Joint Management Plan for Barmah National Park and the Yorta Yorta Co-operative Management Agreement. Funding will improve the environment and tourism facilities.

$9.8 million to upgrade the Dandenong Police Paddocks Reserve and Jells Park sports fields and establish a dog park at Gowanbrae.

$16.5 million to protect Victoria’s Park Heritage Icons - repairs will be undertaken at Werribee Park Mansion, Point Nepean Forts and lighthouses at Cape Otway, Cape Schanck, Point Hicks and Wilsons Promontory. These works will ensure these important sites remain open for the Victorian public to enjoy.

Protecting our wildlife

Funding of $5.3 million to implement the Victorian Koala Management Strategy, to protect grey-headed flying-fox colonies to manage heat stress events and establish a Wildlife Emergency Support Network. Funding will also support wildlife centres and shelters to provide care to wildlife across Victoria, caring for injured and orphaned wildlife.

Enjoying the great outdoors

$1 million to enhance the new Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park with new visitor facilities like walking trails, bridges, boardwalks, beach access, seating and viewing points and better links to other parks along the Bass Coast.

Protecting our coastlines and coastal parks

$2.9 million complete arrangements for a new single authority to manage the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks.

$7 million to respond to erosion along 355 kms of coastline including hazard assessments, heavy plant and equipment, and materials.

$9.5 million to improve and maintain the condition of public facilities for both the community and visitors, supporting greater accessibility and local tourism.

$16.9 million to deliver priority actions for marine and coastal areas this financial year.

Supporting recovery and building safer communities

Bushfire preparedness and community resilience

$46.9 million and $7 million annually to continue the state's fuel management program, including a greater level of mechanical fuel treatments such as mowing and mulching.

$7.6 million to continue restoring public land roads, bridges and crossings damaged by heavy rainfall and flooding and continue the repair of bridges damaged in the Black Summer bushfires.

Building stronger communities for future growth

$27.8 million will secure Victoria’s economic recovery and go towards building system reforms. This includes:

• $6.2 million toward automatic mutual recognition of interstate construction trade qualifications.
• $7.9 million to introduce measures to strengthen the building approvals process.
• $2.3 million to establish an Office of the State Building Surveyor.
• $2 million to establish a statutory Building Monitor.
• $9.4 million Cladding Cost Recovery Strategy.

Longterm planning for water security

More water access for Traditional Owners

$3.9 million over the next 2 years to support water access for Traditional Owners. We are committed to supporting Traditional Owner access to water and Aboriginal participation in the water sector.

Supporting Bendigo’s environment and tourism with mine water management

$51.8 million over 3 years to manage mine-impacted groundwater in Bendigo.

This investment will:

• build a new purpose-built treatment facility and associated pumping station and pipelines.
• decommission existing interim infrastructure.
• upgrade materials and personnel access at the Central Deborah Gold Mine.
• extend interim management until the new facility is built.

Delivering the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy

$56.6 million will be used to deliver the first phase of projects in the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy:

• $39 million to boost recycled water and stormwater projects.
• $10 million to improve the health of waterways and catchments.
• $1.6 million to improve urban water security.
• $6 million to strengthen water resources and deliver actions under the Water Cycle Adaptation Action Plan.