More than 10,000 trees will be planted in Melton as a part of phase four of the state government’s More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program.
Indigenous trees sourced from local nurseries will be planted across Melton’s reserves between April and November 2024.
The phase four trees follow more than 35,000 trees promised for the municipality during the first three phases of the project, with the last trees of phase three due to be planted this month.
The west has the lowest tree canopy cover in metropolitan Melbourne, with just 5.5 per cent of urban tree cover in Melbourne as of 2018, compared with 17.4 per cent in the inner south-east and 25.9 per cent in the east.
The program has aimed to address this gap and has planted 325,000 in the western suburbs since 2021, closing in on its target of 500,000.
During phase four $900,000 will be spent to plant 50,000 trees across Melton, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Moonee Valley, and Wyndham.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the More Trees for a Cooler, Greener West program will encourage communities in Melbourne’s west to enjoy cooler and greener open spaces.
“This is a great next step in creating greener spaces for local residents to enjoy for years to come – and I’d encourage locals to volunteer and take part in tree planting programs across the western suburbs,” he said.
Tree planting projects are being delivered by the six local councils of Melbourne’s west, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Zoos Victoria.
Currently, the 11,000 new trees in Melton are planned to be planted at Botanica Springs Linear Reserve, Brookfield, Cambrian Way Reserve, Melton West, Glencapel Court Reserve, Hillside, Scarlet Oak Reserve, Harkness, Sirdar Street Reserve, Melton, Taylors Hill West Recreation Reserve, Fraser Rise, Westmelton Drive Reserve, Melton West, 7th Bend Estate, Weir Views, Tamboritha Boulevard Reserve, Weir Views and Turf Club Reserve, Weir Views.
Details: environment.vic.gov.au/more-trees
