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Leadership for Eco Action Program
Applications have now closed for the City of Melville's 2026 Leadership for Eco Action Program (LEAP). This free, two-year environmental leadership program will give eight local young people (starting Year 10 or 11 in 2026) the chance to lead change on local environmental issues. For young people passionate about the planet and ready to take action, LEAP is a chance to make a difference.In weekly after-school sessions, participants will learn from experts, gaining skills in leadership, communication, project management, and community engagement. Then, they’ll put that knowledge into action by working with their team to plan and lead their own group projects and events.
Each year, participants will produce:
- One community project (Eg. eco art awards, educational media campaign, expert panel event, planting event, bat box installation, clothes swap series, upcycled art installation, sustainable swap market, community garden beds)
- Four events for local youth
- A youth zone at our annual Eco Action Expo
- Content for social media and enewsletters
This is a unique chance to work with local community groups and City of Melville staff, gain real-world experience, and create change in line with our goals to increase climate resilience, promote sustainable energy and transport, encourage climate sensitive food choices, reduce waste, and enhance biodiversity.
Applications for the 2026 cohort closed at 5.00pm, on Friday 21 November. Successful applicants will be notified in early December.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students entering Year 10 or Year 11 in 2026 who live or study in the City of Melville are eligible to apply. Applications open in early November 2025, with eight participants selected to start in Term 1, 2026.
Participants meet weekly after school during school terms at the City of Melville EcoHub, Winthrop. Each session runs for about 1.5 to 2 hours and includes workshops, guest speakers and group project work.
Students will work on a major environmental project, take part in community engagement activities (like events and outreach), and develop leadership skills alongside City staff and sustainability professionals.
LEAP is a two-year program.
- Year 1 focuses on exploring environmental issues and building skills.
- Year 2 offers opportunities to mentor new participants and lead projects.
By participating in LEAP, you will:
- Build leadership, communication, teamwork and project management skills
- Learn about local sustainability and environmental issues
- Plan and deliver youth-led community projects
- Connect with inspiring peers, mentors, and experts
- Discover study and career pathways
No, participation in the program is free.
Climate Action Advisory Group
Our new CAAG representatives have been selected and we’re looking forward to introducing the members, following the inaugural meeting in September 2025. Watch this space.Group members will be available to provide advice to community members and groups on climate action issues and opportunities from within their realm of experience or expertise, and within the Community’s sphere of control and influence. It will also serve as a forum for networking, sharing ideas and working collaboratively to support sustainability initiatives.
This group will meet quarterly and these meetings will comprise of a mix of invited stakeholder group representatives, community members and representatives from the City of Melville, including Elected Members and staff.
In 2022 we appointed 24 community members to form a Climate Action Reference Group (CARG). The CARG’s role was to develop ideas and voice community priorities for the City and community to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change. These ideas fed into the development of the Community Climate Action Plan (Community CAP). The CARG engagement period finished in 2023 following the endorsement of the Community CAP. The new Climate Action Advisory Group will continue to advocate for the community, whilst supporting community-led climate action.
The draft CAAG Terms of Reference has been developed, and will be finalised once the advisory group is established. At the first session, the group will review the draft, provide input, and finalise the Terms of Reference together. You can view the draft below.
Applicants will be assessed against a skills and criteria matrix, including demonstrated skills and experience in climate and sustainability. To ensure transparency and fairness in the selection process, the City of Melville has appointed an independent consultant to assist with recruitment.
The CAAG may support any initiative that enables the community to undertake positive climate action. This includes projects that promote awareness, build community capacity, and support positive behaviour change towards sustainability and climate action. The group may also contribute to initiatives that help the community progress toward its net zero emissions by 2050 target.
Melville City Climate Action Network
Melville City Climate Action Network (MCCAN) is a community group that is taking action at a local council level in the face of the climate emergency. The group was formed in January 2020, and in April 2021 submitted a petition to the Melville Council asking them to declare a climate emergency and develop a climate emergency plan.Councillors voted in favour of the petition, and since then the group has continued to support and push for climate action through a variety of measures including events, education, networking, and collaboration with the City of Melville and local community.
visit website Become a member
Environmental Volunteer Groups
There are a number of different environmental volunteer groups for different reserves around the City of Melville. The groups collaborate with us to undertake a variety of activities, including collecting seeds for revegetation, planting activities in winter and removing weeds in our local bushland, wetland and river foreshore reserves.Find out more
Piney Lakes Community Garden
The Piney Lakes Community Garden is an edible garden initiative run by the community, enabling great connections to be fostered in a friendly and welcoming environment. Open days are held on the second and fourth Sundays of the month from 9.00am to 11.00am. Come along to meet members, get tips, take home herbs, recycle plastic plant pots and more!Please check their Facebook page to see when they sell FOGO-derived compost bags and when they accept polypropylene plant pots for recycling.
Email for more information Facebook Page
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