- Published:
- Friday 29 July 2022
The Andrews Labor Government is creating green canopies in Melbourne’s west – with over 15,000 tree saplings being planted this weekend by communities across Melbourne’s west for National Tree Day.
The Labor Government is investing $5 million to plant 500,000 new trees across six councils providing more shade and green spaces, driving down pollution and improving air quality, as part of the More Trees for a Cooler Greener West program.
This weekend will see the most trees planted in a single day since the start of the program in September 2021, with seven community planting events to take place across the weekend to celebrate National Tree Day.
Community members will work together to plant native trees in Wyndham, Melton, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Victoria University’s Werribee Campus and Melbourne Water’s HC Kim Reserve in Seaholme, creating cooler spaces for families in the western suburbs to enjoy for generations to come.
Western Melbourne has the lowest tree canopy cover in metropolitan Victoria, with just 5.5 per cent of urban tree cover in Melbourne in 2018, compared to 17.4 per cent in the inner south-east and 25.9 per cent in the east.
Over 200,000 trees will have been planted by the end of this year thanks to the program. The successful partnership between the State and Local Governments, and Traditional Owner Corporations, is delivering more shade for communities, ensuring outdoor spaces can be enjoyed even in the height of summer.
Tree coverage reduces urban temperatures by 10-25°C, filters pollution and provides oxygen, helping reduce heat-related illness and death.
The program also improves our biodiversity by providing more homes and food for wildlife and helps us meet Victoria’s goal to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 as we work towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
Providing more accessible green spaces also improves communities’ mental and physical health by increasing connections with nature.
For more details on the program visit: environment.vic.gov.au/more-trees-for-a-cooler-greener-west/program/about-the-program
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio
“I am looking forward to getting my hands in the soil on National Tree Day, joining in with communities in the west to plant 15,000 saplings which will benefit Victorians for years to come.”
“We’re planting trees for a cooler and shadier west. Together with our investment in parks, we’re boosting liveability, improving air quality and tackling climate change by cutting our emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.”