AusLeisure

The Victorian Government has announced that it will fund the planting of 500,000 trees in Melbourne’s west starting in September.

Aiming to build ‘green canopies’ that will create cooler spaces for residents to enjoy for generations to come, the Victorian Government will invest $5 million to plant the new trees in growth areas across six councils - Maribyrnong, Wyndham, Melton, Brimbank, Moonee Valley and Hobsons Bay - providing more shade and green spaces, driving down pollution and improving air quality.

As the city’s west has far less green cover than other parts of Melbourne, the trees will help reduce the urban heat island effect which leads to higher temperatures and lower air quality in those urban communities without enough vegetation.

In 2018, Melbourne's west had just 5.5% canopy cover in urban areas compared to 17.4% in the inner south-east and 25.9% in the east - resulting in the area experiencing the greatest urban heat island effect across metropolitan Melbourne.

The plan, announced last week by Victorian acting Premier James Merlino, will see appropriate trees, ranging from saplings to more mature trees, being planted.

They will add to the thousands of hectares of new open space and parklands delivered under the Victorian Government’s $154 million Suburban Parks Program, which is providing up to 6,500 hectares of parkland, walking trails, bike trails, pocket parks and dog parks - including 22 new and upgraded parks in Melbourne’s west.

Explaining that the two-year program will see the Victorian Government offer grants to community groups and councils to plant trees, while existing planting programs could be enlarged, acting Premier Merlino stated “in the immediate tranche of planting, we’re going to focus on mature trees so we get the greatest impact as quickly as possible.

“The pandemic reminded us how important it is for our physical and mental health to have green open spaces close to home. These trees will mean more families in the western suburbs can enjoy a cooler, cleaner environment around them.

“This is about improving the lifestyle of all residents, improving the amenities, improving the environment, making it cooler in summer and improving the air quality in the west.”

Image courtesy of National Tree Day.

Related Articles

30th April 2021 - City of Melbourne moves forward with Yarra River Greenline project

21st April 2021 - Tree at Ballarat Botanical Gardens a finalist in Victorian Tree of the Year Award

16th April 2021 - Plans revealed to transform Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse sport and entertainment precinct

15th April 2021 - New Climate Council report shows Australia must triple its climate goal this decade

25th February 2021 - Climate Council releases new report on the affects of climate change on Australian Sport

7th February 2021 - Sydney and Melbourne listed among world’s healthiest cities

25th January 2021 - Victorian Government backs 13 new pocket parks in Melbourne’s suburbs

28th November 2020 - Western United use ‘value capture’ model to drive building of Wyndham Stadium

30th October 2020 - Wyndham City Council continues to upgrade parks and redevelops Little River Tennis Court

9th September 2020 - Innovative virtual power plant a first for Melbourne Metro Council and Hobsons Bay

3rd September 2020 - Living turf crucial for mitigating ‘urban heat island’ effects

7th August 2020 - Brimbank secures funding for environmental and sustainability projects

12th April 2020 - Melbourne study shows how cities struggle to enhance urban tree cover

16th October 2019 - Councils and water industry call for national water focus amid climate change

18th September 2019 - New report highlights the increased threat of climate change on Australian wildlife

28th August 2019 - Maribyrnong Council rejects Melbourne Victory Footscray Park academy plan

5th July 2019 - Massive tree planting has potential to tackle climate crisis

14th April 2019 - City of Moonee Valley puts a gym in the Avondale Heights Library

6th March 2019 - Councils assess heat island effects in built areas

24th July 2018 - Sunshine Coast residents urged to get their hands dirty on National Tree Day

20th June 2018 - Melton City Council introduces upgraded wayfinding on parklands’ shared paths

8th February 2018 - Innovative playspace refurbishment more than doubles visits at Melbourne’s Brimbank Park

19th November 2016 - Central Melbourne’s trees need to adapt to climate change

28th October 2015 - Skatepark at the heart of Maribyrnong River rejuvenation

8th October 2014 - Melton Waves LEADS the way in energy efficiency

15th October 2013 - Backing for Hobsons Bay reserves and recreation

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.